Spelling

Spelling Rules

Here are some general spelling rules:

• When a word ends with "y" preceded by a consonant, form the plural of the word by changing the "y" to "i" and adding "es."

  • Examples: countries, carries, ladies

• The letter "i" comes before "e" except after "c."

  • Examples: believe, field, tried (but not receive)

• Keep the final silent "e" when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant.

  • useful, lovely, hopeless

• Drop the final silent "e" when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel

  • changing, notable, nervous

• When a one-syllable word ends in a vowel followed by a consonant, double the final consonant when adding a suffix

  • topped, swimmer, hitting

• The letter "q" in a word is followed by "u."

  • quick, antique, equation

• Do not change the spelling of a word when adding a prefix to it

  • remove, triangle, misspell

• A word that ends with the "v" sound is spelled with the letters "ve" at its end.

  • shave, above, effective

Spelling Better

Here are some tips on how to spelling better. You can treat this as step-by-step instruction and work on one at a time.

1. Mastery of the sight words:

   • Sight words are the most frequently used words in the English language. Many sight words have irregular spellings and it is critical that you memorizes them and knows how to spell them.

   • Here are link to 108 important (Sight) words to know: make sure you can read and spell all of them: https://youtu.be/hw-ag3Dgaas

2. Understands the different sounds that letter combinations make: Here are some building blocks and the links:

   • Individual letters sound (consonants and vowels): Kumon 5A Sounds Flashcards- https://youtu.be/2B-5yqYDbpU

   • Blends (such as /bl/gr/sm/) and Digraphs (such as /sh/ng/ph/): 4A Sound Flashcards - https://youtu.be/5CefDBoUUik

   • Diphthongs (such as /oi/ai/): 3A Sound Flashcards - https://youtu.be/3w0yMo9KDK8

3. Recognize word families: Once you masters sounds, work on words that share the same beginning or ending, for example: (Kumon 2A worksheet)

   • fly, sky, why, spy, try

   • dye, eye, rye

   • baby, lady, any, study, windy, chilly, worry, fairy

   • know, knot, knock, knee, knob, knight

4. Memorizes common spelling rules, which is covered in Kumon Reading levels.

5. Practice, Practice, and Practice: Doing daily Kumon Reading homework, and correct all mistakes after grading at home on the same day.