Q: How can I help my child learn to spell?
A: For specific information on how you can help your child learn to spell see the article
Q: How are spelling and reading related?
A. Spelling and reading are two sides of the same process. Reading is the process of translating printed words into sounds/language. Spelling or writing words is the converse process of changing spoken words back into print. It is no surprise that reading and spelling skills are often closely related. Most children who struggle with reading also struggle with spelling. The most effective way to teach your child to spell is to develop a strong foundation of phonologic processing using an effective direct systematic phonics program. Not only is direct systematic phonics reading instruction proven to enhance children’s success in learning to read but direct systematic phonics improves children’s ability to spell. Teaching students the foundation of our written language by linking decoding/reading (converting print to words/language) with recoding/spelling (converting spoken words back into print) helps students learn and understand exactly how our written language works and establishes the necessary foundation so they can achieve success in both reading and spelling.
Right Track Reading and Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons directly teach children how to spell or write words by converting sound into print. The combination of direct instruction in phonemic awareness, teaching the accurate and complete phonetic code, and activities that develop an understanding of the phonetic structure of our language helps develop spelling skills. Both Right Track Reading and Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons also contain a very useful spelling section on common spelling patterns and guidelines. These sections help improve spelling skills. The spelling sections of Right Track Reading Lessons and Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons could be used in isolation as a solid systematic spelling program. A preview of these Spelling lessons is located at Right Track Reading Spelling Lessons 1-8 and Back on the Right Track Spelling Lessons 1-5:
These questions were answered by Miscese Gagen a mother with a passion for teaching children to read proficiently by using effective methods. She is also a successful reading tutor and author of the reading instructional programs Right Track Reading Lessons and Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons. The purpose of this article is to empower parents and teachers with information on teaching children how to read. We CAN improve reading proficiency, one student at a time! More information is located at www.righttrackreading.com ~ Copyright 2004-2013 Miscese R. Gagen
