Kids’ spelling skill eventually gets better after developing phonemic awareness. They start to guess spelling unknown words on their own. But they might lose interest after a while because of traditional boring methods of learning spelling.
Learning new words should include fun and involving ways for them to grow interest and memorize the words successfully.
How to Learn Spelling
Let’s start with the basic approaches. Kindergarten students should start with spelling two letter words first, then three and more complex words. They also need to learn about syllables and try to make new words with them.
Names
The very first word a kindergartener should start with is their own name.
- Write out their names and ask them to speak their name first and then the spelling.
- Every time a kid is submitting any classwork, ask them to write their name on the paper.
- Display their names on the classroom in charts.
- In home, ask them to write their names on cards and use those to label their things
Useful Words
The words they are learning first should be of everyday use and easy to spell.
For example, Mom, Dad, Yes, No, Stop etc.
- Ask questions and make them answer with the learned questions.
- Ask them to spell the words verbally.
- Let them make sentences with those words.
Also, teach them the definition of the words which will help them to make new sentences and express themselves clearly.
Word Families
Teach your students about simple word families such as ig-family, an-family etc. for words with similar endings. This will make learning spelling easy and fun.
Simple Word Families for Kindergarteners
- an: Man, Pan, Fan, Can etc.
- at: Cat, Bat, Pat, Fat, Rat etc.
- ig: Big, Pig, Fig etc.
- ee: Bee, See, Fee, Tree, Knee, etc.
- ck: Back, Pack etc.
- ad: Bad, Dad, Mad, Sad, Had etc.
Spelling Rules
Learning spelling rules are a mandatory part of learning how to spell. Teach the kids about basic spelling rules which will help them to figure out which letter to put in the gap.
Some Basic Spelling Rules
- Every word has at least one vowel
- Every syllable has one vowel
- Q is always followed by a U.
- Capitalize names
- Capitalize names of places.
Make sets of rules according to difficulty level. After students mastering the first set, go to the next one. Also remember that each child learns at different rate, so some may take longer to master to one set of rules.
This is why students love SpellQuiz Spelling programs where every kid can progress at their own pace.
Are you curious about finding new teaching strategies? Check out this guide on teaching spelling strategies here.
Mrs. D, Mrs. I, Mrs. FFI…
I personally recommend the Rhyme from movie ‘Matilda’ where the students learnt spelling ‘Difficulty’ with a rhyme.
Mrs. D, Mrs. I
Mrs. F-F-I
Mrs. C, Mrs. U
Mrs. L-T-Y
Can you make a rhyme for a word the kids need to learn how to spell?
Write, Then Write, Then Write
When learning a new word, make sure the students are writing it multiple times. It will make memorization easier.
- Ask your students to write the words on the board, give them worksheets, and tell them to write the words using different coloured pencils.
- Give them a short list of words, ask them to write the letters by looking at first. Then ask them to write the words from their memory, without looking.
Are you looking for a spelling curriculum for struggling spellers? Check out this detailed guide.
Don’t Just Write, READ!
The students should read the words aloud to learn the pronunciation along with the spelling.
- Give them a short list of words
- Give them a short text including the words, read the text together.
- Ask the children to colour or mark the listed words.
- Make small groups and ask them to spell the words aloud.
- Parents should give their kids storybooks, magazines etc. and ask them to circle certain words.
Memorizing Spelling
This traditional method is fun yet effective and engaging for first-time learners. It also improves their visual memory. Give the kindergartener a written word, then ask them to close their eyes and visualize the word letter by letter. Ask them to spell it out loud and check if they are correct.
Revise Once in a While
Along with learning new words, examine how many previous words they remember correctly. Once in a while, hold a session where you revise the old words. Give them activities, ask them to spell the words and write them after.
You can also track their progress using SpellQuiz Spelling tests where quizzes are divided into grades from grade 1 to grade 12 and also available for adults.
Make Learning Spellings fun
Engaging students with practical activities rather than traditional read and write with pen and paper has proved to be more fruitful for spelling learning. These activities not only focuses on children’s spelling memory, but auditory, visual and sensory memory too, which makes learning process more enjoyable.
In addition, the materials needed for these are easy to make.
Flash cards
Write the words on a card and its definition on the back. Show your students or kid the definition first and let him guess the word, and then spell it aloud. You can add pictures to explain the words and make them write the words on the other side
Here’s a guide on spelling mnemonics with spelling rhymes to remember. Check it now!
Spelling Train
Give a word to your student and ask to write a word that begins with the last letter of the given word. Then tell them to write a new letter that begins with the last letter of their previously written word and make a word chain. This way, you can evaluate their learning progress.
For example,
Cat > Tree > Egg > Goal > Lion
Letter Shapes
Use letter block, magnetic letter shapes, scrabble pieces etc. and ask the child to make words with them. Kids will feel more engaged and learn the words faster.
- Use alphabet pastas, cookies or cereal for fun.
- Ask them to make a word with these and if they are correct, they may have a bite.
Finger Painting
Kids will learn faster when they are being creative. Write a word with big letters on a paper and ask the kid to trace the word with their fingers. Then ask them to write the words with their fingers using paint.
This fun and unique way will grow their interest in spelling learning and help memorize the words better.
Crosswords
Instead of passive techniques, give your students simple crossword puzzles to find out their progress. This technique also evaluates different types of skills such as reasoning and vocabulary along with spelling. You can make the puzzles into fun shapes which will make it more interesting.
Evaluate Learning Spelling for Kindergarten Kids
You never truly learn something unless you apply your knowledge in practical.
How would you know how many words your child or students have learned?
And how many they still remember?
You should give them activities where they can apply what they have learnt. You can also use English Spelling Quizzes from SpellQuiz. The test starts from grade one. The student will hear words and need to write them in the paper. This test will also evaluate their auditory memory.
There are also other class activities listed below:
Word Search
Word search is an impressive game to learn spelling. Give them a list of words and ask them to find them from the puzzle. They should mark it or cross it off.
This activity will better their visual memory and imagination too. You can make small groups for a bigger list of words.
Hangman
Students love this game!
Use it as a part of your lecture, or play it with your kid at home, children will definitely get excited to score more. For beginners, give them a list of words first to make it easier. You can use the definition of the word as a clue.
Write a Story
For advanced learners, ask them to write a story with their newly learned words instead of a sentence. Their creativity will have a boost in the process. You may assign them a topic too.
For example: ask them to write about a zoo with all the words they have learned. Also, give them specific words to use if you like.
Let Them Make Lists
Write words on cards and ask the students arrange them alphabetically. Not directly connected to spelling skill, this task will help them to recognize the words and visualize the words better.
This task can be given to individual or to a group. You can also use magnetic cards.
Final Thoughts
At first, all the kids find learning spelling fun. They like to play with letters. What we need to do is to keep their interest going on by engaging them more with it. Traditional methods are without a doubt necessary, and adding new activities, learning how to spell becomes a wholesome process for the learners.
Search for fun materials on the internet.
SpellQuiz has a wide range of materials to help your kid learn spelling more words more effectively and faster. Don’t forget to track their progress. Good luck learning!
For example, your child can visit spelling tests to practice spelling using dictations. Then, she could try the vocabulary test to get informed about her current vocabulary level.
Or, she could try playing the Spelling Bee Online — there are plenty of things to do at SpellQuiz.