Hey Friends! This is Beatz, coming to you with this weeks edition of………. The Spelling Buzz!!!

Have you guys ever heard of the practice of “Word Study” as a way to teach spelling? I came across this article that was pretty cool, and I thought I would share it with you guys!

“Word study” is an alternative to traditional spelling instruction.  It is based on learning word patterns rather than memorizing unconnected words.

Most teachers teach spelling by giving a student a list, then drill them with this list of word for a week, then move on to the next list of words.  This way of teaching is seen to be boring and tedious for students.  Word study provides students with opportunities to investigate and understand the patterns is words.  Knowledge of these patterns means that students needn’t learn to spell one word at a time.  For example, the difference between “hard c” (as in can) and a “soft c” (as in cell).  After learning many words containing the letter “c”, students learn that “c” is usually hard when followed by consonants (as in climb and crumble) and the vowel “a”, “o”, and “u” (as in cat and cut).  The “c” is usually soft when followed by “i”, “e”, and “y” ( as in circus and cycle).

Seems like a cool new way to learn spelling to me!!! Maybe I will teach this to my spelling monster friends in Spelltopia!! Come and play with us anytime!!!

 

For more full article on”Word Study”:

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/80/