Notes on How to Become Better Spellers

Essential Question: How can we become better spellers?

Here is a list based on our class discussions:

·         Read a lot to increase vocabulary

·         Notice patterns in words

·         Notice how words are used in sentences

·         Read challenging texts such as The New York Times

·         Identify words you don’t know how to spell:

o   Figure out a way to help you remember how to spell it

o   Memorize the spelling

o   Write or say out loud several times

o   Make a song

o   Break down into syllables/parts

o   Memorize rules and exceptions

o   Write sentences using the word

·         Listen to pronunciation and understand meaning

·         Understand the roots, prefixes, suffixes, and origins

·         Know the part of speech

·         Use a dictionary to help you look up the correct spelling of a word