Practice Spelling Words

Looking for new ways to practice spelling words? Try these 8 techniques and ideas with a friend, classmate or family helper.

Whether you're a struggling speller who needs lots of practice, or an experienced speller who wants to learn a lot of new words, these ideas are for you!

Get Ready!

Before reading the tips and techniques below, I'd like to suggest that you...

1. Set a goal for the number of WORDS you want to learn each week.

2. Set a goal for the amount of TIME you need to spend each day in to learn those words. Then figure out when you make this time fit into your schedule. If you need to spend 15 minutes a day, for example, you may decide to do this all at once, right before your evening meal.

Or, you may decide to spend 10 minutes right after dinner and 5 minutes right before you leave for school in the morning. The important thing is to make a plan and stick to it. Now that you've followed these suggestions, let's dive into some of the best methods to practice spelling words.

How to Practice Spelling Words

1. Write your words at least ten times each day. Say the letters aloud as you write. After you've finished writing, turn your paper over, and try to spell each word correctly aloud for your helper.  Saying words correctly and writing words correctly actually gives your brain different kinds of practice. 

2. Ask your helper to scramble each of your spelling words and write them for you. When your friend gives you this list, write each word correctly at least twice. Have your friend check your work. 

3. Look up each of your words in a dictionary, preferably a hard-copy book. This helps you think about the correct spelling of each word, and it helps you learn more about the word. Read your word and its main definitions aloud to your helper. Notice your word's language of origin. What is its main part of speech? For instance, is it usually a noun, a verb, an adjective, or does its usage change as its meaning changes?

4. Ask your helper to write your entire list of spelling words in random order. Your job is to rewrite the list in alphabetical order. Write the list a second time for extra practice, this time alphabetizing words in order by their last letter! That will really make you think!

5. Ask your helper to write your list of words, replacing each vowel with a blank.  Your job is to write the correct missing vowels in the blanks. Then write each complete word again.

6. Ask your helper to write your words, this time replacing all the consonants with a blank. As described above, write the missing consonants in the blanks. Then write each complete word again. 

7. There's nothing like random oral practice! Ask your helper to quiz you in free moments (or in a scheduled practice time) on your current list of words. Encourage him to call out, "Spell believe!" or something similar,  throughout the day. 

8. Review past spelling words list. Don't simply practice spelling words so that you can get a good grade on a quiz, and then forget them. The valuable progress you make during one week should last for years to come.

Keep a master list of words you've learned in one notebook so that you can review them frequently on your own. 

It's important to make time to review previous learned words. Be sure to review past words for at least 20 minutes every week. Review words with a friend or study buddy. Don't let all that great progress go to waste!

More Spelling Strategies

Ten Spelling Strategies One of the best ideas around is to master the top spelling rules. Understanding these rules will give adults and students of all ages more success and confidence as they tackle bigger and harder words.

Spelling Words You Can Practice

You'll find lots and lots of great spelling words to practice here at Spelling Words Well. Here are a few links to get you started:

Spelling Lists for Grades 1-9  From this page, you can link to long lists of graded spelling words. Choose your own grade, master those words, then move up to the next one!

Spelling Bee Word Lists  From this page, you can link to carefully chosen spelling bee words for grades 2-8. These lists are a bit tougher than the ones above, but you CAN learn them, with enough determination and practice! 

102 frequently misspelled words:  Study this list to boost your spelling abilities. Everybody has a few spelling glitches, but you can master yours!