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.

  • Days of The Week Worksheets

    As early as preschool, some children are exposed to the days of the week. By second grade, both of my children were expected to spell both the days of the week and the 12 months correctly. Days of the Week We offer free worksheets to help your child learn the days of the week. These…

  • 5th Grade Spelling Words – Exploration

    Our 5th grade spelling program consists of fifteen spelling words from the following three categories: personal words, content words and exploration words. The personal words will be unique to each student; they are a student’s misspelled words. The content words are chosen from an elected subject, e.g., science and social studies, and the exploration words…

  • Months

    As early as preschool, some children are exposed to the 12 months of the year. By second grade, both of my children were expected to spell both the days of the week and the 12 months correctly. Months of the Year The table below contains the 12 months of the year as well as an…

  • Long E Worksheets

    We offer numerous long e worksheets that help a child learn the various long e spelling patterns. We categorize each worksheet into 1 of 4 categories: Vowel teams (“ea” & “ee”), Irregular vowel team (“ie”), Open syllable rule, and “Y” as a vowel (more than 2 syllable words). Long E Worksheets – Vowel Teams When…

  • Long E Sound, List of Long E Words and Worksheets

    When you hear the long E sound, it can be spelled several ways. This sound can be represented in 2 vowel teams (“ea” and “ee”), an irregular vowel team (“ie”), the open syllable rule, e.g., me, and “Y” as a vowel at the end of a word, e.g. bunny. Common Ways to Spell the Long…

  • EE Spelling Words

    The combination of the vowels “e” and “e” result in a long “e” 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 both “ee” spelling…