Practicing Spelling With An Older Learner
It can be difficult to find ways to practice spelling with an older learner because most programs are designed for young children. This is an in-depth discussion of how I approach spelling with my teenage son’s learning differences.
I recently shared a quick snapshot of some of the ways we are naturally practicing reading and spelling in our homeschool.
The list included:
- Texting back and forth
- Sending funny memes to him that require reading
- Reading Aloud (him to me, using an old familiar book)
- Writing Poetry and Song Lyrics
- And yes, a little bit of formal learning through our online curriculum choices
Some of you wanted more information. More of you were concerned that this approach would not be enough to help my son become a functional speller as an adult.
The In’s and Out’s of Practicing Spelling With An Older Learner
For many of you, this seemed like “taking the easy way out” (yes, that is a direct quote). I can understand why.
Perhaps you, like I, grew up learning spelling strategies that took a standard school approach – a list of 10 to 20 words at the beginning of the week, followed by daily repetition (usually writing based) culminating in a spelling test on Friday.
It worked for me. Why wouldn’t I include it as part of my son’s spelling practice?
The simple answer is that it just isn’t effective. He needs a more experiential, reality based use of spelling in order for it to stick. A typical approach might work for the week, but then spelling words would quickly be forgotten when it comes time to actually use the spelling word in real life.
We need a different and much more engaging approach!
How Can I Help My Older Child With Spelling?
Although I do use spelling lists to help me stay on track with learning the most-used, most-needed words (see resource list below), most of how we actually practice spelling is much more reality based.
For example, when my son is typing out his latest poem, he absolutely has access to spell-check and uses it with total freedom. Why? Because spell check is something I expect will be around to help him as a functional adult. It is an accommodation to be sure, but one that is much more mainstream and accessible than ever before. Plus, it motivates kids to learn.
Because of this, we also almost never practice spelling with actual handwriting. I have found that there are too many competing brain functions in play for it to truly be effective. He has to hold the pencil, think about his grip, the force he uses on the page, the way the letters are formed and then, finally, if he is spelling the word correctly. Teaching handwriting is quite distinct and different than spelling.
It’s too much to achieve my goal – helping him effectively spell.
Removing the handwriting element means that he can focus on the words themselves and how to spell them. That’s it.
And for us, it works.
Resources For Helping Your Older Child With Spelling
In addition to using text messages and typing as a primary form of spelling practice, I have created a few spelling lists and used a workbook resource to help ensure that we are on track in our spelling practice.
- 100 Must-Know Spelling Words For 4th Grade
- The Ultimate Guide To Second Grade Words For Reading And Spelling
- 1st Grade Spelling List And Practice Activities (Top 100)
I also LOVE this book of the 1000 words we use the most in written language and highly recommend it as a resource (aff. link included). It has 90% of the words we use most, all in easy to digest lists.
I choose a word from one of these lists and ask him to text me using it in a sentence. Then we repeat.
Is it enough?
Well, that remains to be seen. The good news is, I see progress and he is engaged in continuing to improve his spelling skills. For now, that feels like a victory.
