Spelling and phonics are related. Phonics is decoding, spelling is encoding. Learning phonics and phonetic spelling rules can improve your spelling.
English spelling is much more logical than most imagine. According to Denise Eide, “By revealing the logical patterns underlying 98% of English words, Uncovering the Logic of English eliminates the need to guess and provides a logical solution to English spelling.”
By learning some of the logic, rules, and history of the English language, you can improve your spelling abilities while learning about language.
First, focus on the most basic phonics patterns and exceptions. Most of these patterns come from Old English. There are also several different spelling patterns for each vowel sound to allow for homophones such as meet and meet and mete, or way and whey and weigh. The book Spelling Plus focuses on these basic patterns with the most common 1,000 words arranged by rule and phonetic pattern. There is an accompanying dictation book for those who need more practice and a homophone book for students who need more practice with those.
The author of Spelling Plus, Susan C. Anthony, has a spelling workshop and a linked handout with tips for teaching spelling basics.
You can get a free eBook with basic spelling rules and patterns from Nessy. (The book title is spelled wrong on purpose)
At the higher level, spelling should also link to morphology. It is best to study morphology by combining the study with the phonics of word origin. English is more regular within each language of origin.
Words by Marcia Henry. Integrates phonics, spelling, and word study with word roots and prefixes.
40L’s Spelling Lessons include several levels of spelling, first teaching the basics and then covering a bit of morphology. They move at a fairly fast pace. They are watch and learn.
40L’s Syllables Spell Success Lessons include spelling and move at a slower pace than the spelling lessons. They are more interactive and require a parent or tutor. Early lessons cover basic spelling rules and patterns, while later lessons cover morphology through the study of word roots and the phonics and spelling of word origin. Video teaching and instructions make it easy for parents to use.
Denise Eide, Uncovering the Logic of English, phonics and spelling reference, well explained, organized and arranged in a different manner than “The ABCs and All Their Tricks.”
Even in the digital age, spelling matters. By understanding the patterns of English and its underlying languages of origin, you can deepen your appreciation of language while improving your spelling.
