spelling

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Home : 2002 : April : 11

spelling
By Peter

I think that any spelling program should include the etymology of words, when ever possible. Teaching the Greek and Latin roots of words is very important.
Here are some important spelling rules I have taught in in my
experience with Grades 1-5.
1. An English word should never end in the letter "v." That is why the words "have, give, love, etc" seem to be spelled wrong. We often teach them as exceptions to the silent e rule, but they really follow the above rule. We use an f at the end of the word of because it is the letter with the closest sound to v.
2. Never put a v and a u beside each other.

Both of these rules tell you why love is not spelled luv. Not so long ago, u and v used to be the same letter! When you go to Europe and see inscriptions on the side of buildings, you will often see Augustus spelled Avgvstvs.
3. We teach that we double the final consonant of a word if it is preceded by a single vowel. Well, why don't you double an x or a w? The answer is that a w is already doubled (double u) and x is really a letter that is made of two letters: k and s.
4. Teach the etymology of the days of the week. That will explain why Wednesday has that funny d in it. Also, the months of the year.
5. Never end an English word with the letter i. That is why try ends with a y.

Give spelling tests by definition instead of just dictating the words. Students can earn bonus points by adding words with the same meaning after the studied word.