So just in case you think all homeschooled kids are perfect .... get ready for your image to be shattered.
My 2nd grader is a terrible speller.
Honestly, I thought it must have been genetic because his Mom (yours truly) is also a terrible speller. Spell check helps, but it is what it is. Ask me to to some Calculus though and I’ve go you covered =)
So I changed my approach in teaching my son yet again. We changed to a more hands on spelling program, added a lot of hands on spelling practice (more on that later), and we started using this free printable My Spelling Dictionary.
Results? It's a year later and my son is rocking spelling! He is consistently getting most of his spelling words right and that is finally translating into his writing! This will be the first year he wont bomb the spelling section of testing and to say this mom is happy would be a colossal understatement!
Why a Spelling Dictionary?
Not so long ago I wondered why in the world I would need a printable spelling dictionary when I had a very nice, complete printed dictionary I bought on Amazon. If you too are wondering why, let me explain.
Kids misspell a lot of word in elementary school. It’s normal! But they key to learning to spell words correctly is lots of practice spelling words correctly. But when you have children consistently looking up every word they misspell in the dictionary, kids can get frustrated and begin to hate spelling.
A Spelling Dictionary is a mini book that lists only the words your student has trouble spelling.
Instead of hunting through thousands of words repeatedly, they can write words in their spelling dictionary that are hard for them. Then when they need help spelling they just check their handy, dandy word list and can start writing the words correctly.
Consistent practice spelling words correctly is what is going to help your child be a “good” speller.
My Spelling Dictionary (Freebie!)
This free printable spelling dictionary is perfect for students from 1st-6th grade.
- Print 1st page on cardstock (it makes the cover durable)
- Print remaining pages front and back.
- Fold all pages in half (and staple together)
Your 1/2 page size spelling dictionary is organized alphabetically. Each page is dedicated to one letter. On that particular letter’s page there are a list of common words as well as 14 additional spaces to write words your child struggles with.
Fun Ways to Practice Spelling Words
Come take a peak at some of the spelling games we use to make practicing spelling words FUN!
- Lego Spelling Tests (freebie)
- 20 FUN Ways to Practice Spelling Words
- FREE 2nd Grade Spelling Words Crosswords
- Kindergarten Spelling Practice (freebie)
- 50 Hands on Spelling Activities
- Dart Gun Spelling Practice
- Connect 4 Spelling Practice (free!)
- 1st Grade Spelling Word Searches (free!)
Download My Spelling Dictionary (Subscriber Freebie)
If you'd like to download the Spelling Dictionary for FREE all you need to do is subscribe to get my free email updates. (There are MANY other freebies for subscribers as well!!)
Just sign-up here and receive your FREE Subscriber only printables!
When you enter your email above you will immediately be sent a confirmation email. Just open the email and click to “confirm” your subscription. You will then be redirected to my secret subscriber freebies page. Then just click on the text link under the picture of the printable you'd like to download and it will open as a PDF in Goole Drive. Need help downloading, see help downloading from google docs.
The link to all my subscriber freebies will be at the bottom of each and every email you get from 123 Homeschool 4 Me. [There are lots of other freebies....and more coming soon!] Thanks for subscribing, I hope you enjoy all the ideas to make learning FUN!
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