Spellings Strategies Page 

Chunking is what the country's top spellers do. In a similar way you might remember a phone number. They break long words into groups of three or four letters.

 

This is to picture long words in smaller easy to imagine pieces. Some people referred to this as visualisation, which is just a fancy term for using imagination.

 

    Al    th    ough

Learn about root words, prefixes and suffixes. Some words sound more complex than they really are.

 

Brake them down into the root and add the start and ending as needed.

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Un+fold+able

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meaning this table is not able to be folded.  

To illustrate this technique let's look at a word like 'Necessary'. This is a good one to use as it is quite commonly misspelled. Remember the tricky parts of a word in a distinctive way.

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I also say "It is necessary to have one 'c' and 2 'ss' in that order in the word 'necessary."

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Necessary

Some words just lend themselves to a little bit of art.

 

Think about the word "Look" it is just is crying out for some eye or glasses to be added to the double "oo". Write the word on a flash card, then on the other side illustrate the word. Start by looking at the illustrated side, slowly over time only look at the written side until you have mastered the word.

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Look 

Many dyslexics are kinaesthetic learners meaning they learn by doing not just be looking or talking. So engage as many senses as possible.

 

Making biscuits and make letters for 'O' 'U' 'L' and 'D' make a 'W' 'SH' and a 'C'. Every time, you need could, should, and would simply remember that cooking session with the words all iced up.  Hammer some nails into blocks of wood for the words with 'ai' in like snail, tail, pail and sail. 

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Practice 'Air Writing' the word before trying to write it down.  

For some learners, the idea of taking a mind photo helps.

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Practising visualising can help them see the word in their head. 

 

This works best for High Frequency Words that can't be decoded like 'the.'

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The

 

 

As you learn your spelling list, make the words and the rule stick together. What is the rule about doubling the final consonant? Is my word in the 'p' list?  Words with "cvvc" you don't double the 'p' 

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Bleeper

  Creeping

     Drooped   

                               Keeper  - here is my word!

 Leaping

Combining these techniques works best when used in conjunction with one another, so mix and match the spelling help techniques. Make the word yours and use the best method for you on that word.

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Pro + ces + sion

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 When I go out on a drive, we go together one after each other.

 

The cart goes before the engine and skates.

One 'c' and two 'ss' in that order

I’m always forgetting how to spell words I already know.

Sometimes it’s because I haven’t used the word often enough. Some times I am tired.

Other times it just slips out of my head.

 

If you forget the spelling of a word don’t let it bother you. It happens to everyone dyslexic or not.

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So do not beat yourself up about it! 

It is ok to have a dyslexic day!

Reading is one of the best ways in to spelling. You have to encounter the words, you have to sound them out, you have to put them in to context, you have to understand them and you have to use them.

 

The more you read the better you spell!

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Visit the Reading for Pleasure pages and choses a book!

If you are not ready for a chapter book why not pick up magazine of your choice.

Writing is also a great way into spelling.

 

You have to encounter the words, you have to sound them out, you have to put them in to context, you have to understand them and you have to use them.

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The more you write the better you spell!

Create a space to celebrate the words mastered.

 

On the fridge door, on your bedroom wall or on your phone.

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Why not celebrate your mastery on our community page.

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