Spelling

Learning to spell is a progressive process (just like reading and writing), which typically begins using inventive spelling and gradually progresses to conventionally correct spelling by the end of second grade.

How to Spell a Word

Word Study

Knowing prefixes, suffixes and root words can help a child unlock the meaning of a word.

Grade	*Spelling Benchmarks (End of Year)*
Kindergarten	Uses inventive spelling; knowledge of letter-sound relationships to attempt to spell words
1st Grade	Spells previously taught words, sight words and frequently used irregular words correctly. Uses inventive spelling to spell untaught words.
2nd Grade	Spells sight words, irregular words and words that follow phonetic generalizations correctly.
3rd Grade	Spells commonly used words correctly. Spelling bees typically begin in this grade.
4th Grade	Uses references to spell words correctly, e.g., dictionary. Look out for those commonly misspelled words.
5th Grade	Uses references to spell words correctly, e.g., dictionary.

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Open Syllable

An open syllable occurs when a vowel is at the end of the syllable, resulting in the long vowel sound, e.g. pa/per, e/ven, o/pen, go & we. Open syllable words are open because they are not closed by a consonant. Whereas a closed syllable occurs when a syllable ends with a consonant, resulting in

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Y as a Vowel

It is more common to find the letter “y” as a vowel than as a consonant. Typically, the letter “y” is a consonant when it is at the beginning of a word, e.g., yes, you, yard and young. If the letter “y” is located in the middle or end of the word, it is often treated as a vowel. As always, there are

What is a Syllable?

A syllable is a unit of spoken language that always contains a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y). In fact, a syllable is a word or part of a word with a vowel sound. Breaking words into syllables is an important skill that assists when decoding unfamiliar words. Syllable Types There

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Magic E Words

Magic E Rule: The magic E rule states when the letter “e” sits at the end of the word, it is usually silent and the "magical" E tells the first vowel or the preceding vowel to say its name or long sound. The magic e vowels are as follows: a_e, i_e, o_e and u_e. The magic e is commonly referred to

AY Words

The combination of both an "a" and "y" can result in a long a sound. The vowel team rule states that when two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking. As a result, the first vowel says its name and the second vowel is silent. Our elementary school's spelling program incorporates AY words.

AI Words

The combination of the vowels "a" and "i" result in a long a sound. The vowel team rule states that when two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking. As a result, the first vowel says its name and the second vowel is silent. Our elementary school's spelling program incorporates AI words,

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