Spelling Strategies

A resource for supporting students when writing at home

S-t-r-e-t-ch it out!

1. Say the word.
2. Say the word slowly.
3. Write the sound(s) you hear at the beginning.
4. Say the word slowly, listening for the next sound.
5. Write what you hear next.
6. Put your finger under the word and read it.
7. Say the word again and write the next sound.

Watch the video!

Tap it out with finger spelling!

This is great for shorter words or words with blends.

1. Say the word
2. Say the sounds in the word slowly while tapping it out on your fingers. Use your non-dominant hand.
3. Touch each finger, say the sounds, then write the sound.
4. Read the word to check!

Watch the video!

ship

Use rhyming words to help you spell!

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This strategy is great for lots of words with similar spelling patterns! The key is to know how to spell a word that rhymes with the word you are trying to spell.

1. Say the word you want to write.
2. Think of a word that rhymes with that word.
3. Write your word, but with the same ending as the word you know.

Watch the video!

cat

rat

bike

like

say

day

Another video with the same strategy!

Ask yourself, “Do I know a word that is spelled the same?”

Using Elkonin (Sound) Boxes to support

sound segmentation and spelling

A great tool to use for teaching initial segmentation as well as more advanced spelling patterns such as consonant clusters and vowel teams.

Support the student by creating an elkonin box or use a premade one, like in the second video.

Watch the video!

Another video with the same strategy

Listen for little words within a bigger one!

When writing larger words, listening for smaller word chunks you know in the larger word can help you spell it.

1. Say the word you want to spell
2. Listen for any small words you know
3. Write the word using the stretch it out strategy, then write in the word you know in the spot where you hear it.

in

inside

side

that

his

about

snow/man

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Watch the video!