Blog posts
Starting the day with a focused spelling activity can set a positive tone for your students and significantly enhance their spelling skills. A morning spelling warm-up is a simple yet effective way to reinforce learning and make spelling a natural part of their daily routine.
Here are five morning spelling warm-up ideas to help your students kickstart their day with spelling success.
1. Spelling Flashcards
Flashcards are a classic and versatile tool for spelling practice. Here’s how you can use them in the morning:
Preparation: Create a set of flashcards with challenging words tailored to your students' level.
Activity: Each morning, instruct your students pick a...
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Incorporating spelling practice into your daily routine can be both fun and effective. Regular practice helps reinforce learning while making spelling a natural part of your everyday activities. Here are some practical and engaging ways for students to integrate spelling practice into their daily routines.
Morning Spelling Warm-Up
Start your day with a quick spelling warm-up. Choose a few challenging words and write them down as part of your morning routine. You can try this during breakfast or on the way to school. Writing out words will help reinforce their correct spelling.
Tip: Use Spellzone's printable flashcards to make this activity more...
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Some words consistently challenge even the most adept spellers. In today’s blog post, we’ll delve into ten words that are particularly tricky and offer mnemonic devices to help you remember how to spell them.
Accommodation
Definition: Lodging or a place to stay.
Why it’s difficult: Spellers often forget the double ‘c’ and double ‘m’ in this word.
Mnemonic device: The mnemonic ‘two cots need two mattresses’ will remind you of the double c and double m in accommodation.
Conscience
Definition: An inner feeling or voice that acts as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behaviour.
...
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Engaging students in spelling can be challenging. These fun spelling games and activities, designed for various ages and abilities, can be easily implemented in the classroom to make learning spelling enjoyable and effective.
Spelling Bingo
Create bingo cards with words instead of numbers. Call out a word and instruct students to mark it if it appears on their card. The first student to complete a line or fill their entire card wins by calling out: 'Bingo!'
Word Search Puzzles
Use Spellzone to turn spelling words into a printable word search puzzle. Students find and circle the words hidden in the grid.
Don’t want to print? Play online...
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The spelling differences between British English and American English sometimes trip learners up. In this blog post, we'll explore six words that are spelt differently in the UK and the US.
Colour vs. Color
The American English spelling of this word drops the letter u.
Other examples of this spelling difference:
Honour (British) vs. Honor (American)
Flavour (British) vs. Flavor (American)
Labour (British) vs. Labor (American)
Theatre vs. Theater
This word is spelt with an re in British spelling and an er in American English.
Other examples of this spelling difference:
Metre (British) vs. Meter (American)
Centre (British) vs. Center...
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Dyslexia presents unique challenges when it comes to spelling, but with the right strategies and support, dyslexic learners can overcome obstacles and improve their spelling skills.
Here are our top spelling tips for dyslexic learners:
Use Multi-sensory Techniques:
Engage multiple senses in spelling practice to reinforce learning. Try reading aloud or tracing letters with your finger while saying them aloud. Multi-sensory approaches will help encode and retain spelling patterns more effectively.
Written by a dyslexia expert, Spellzone follows the principles of multi-sensory teaching: using sound, sight and movement to teach spellings and to fix them in the mind. A variety...
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Multilingual households are culturally and linguistically rich, but they also present distinct challenges when it comes to spelling. By understanding these challenges and employing effective strategies, multilingual individuals can navigate the complexities of English spelling with greater ease and confidence.
In this blog post, we will explore the unique spelling challenges faced by multilingual households and share effective strategies to enhance spelling proficiency in diverse linguistic environments.
Potential Spelling Challenges in Multilingual Households
Borrowed Words: Words borrowed from one language to another often retain their original spelling, which may not...
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Teaching spelling to adults requires a thoughtful and tailored approach that acknowledges unique learning styles, experiences, and motivations. In this blog post, we will explore effective strategies for teaching spelling to adult learners:
Integrate Technology
As an online spelling resource, Spellzone leverages technology to make learning spelling flexible and convenient for learners of all ages. Adult learners have the freedom to set their own pace as they work on personalised learning pathways on any device. Spellzone is both adaptable and accessible, making it suitable for learners of all abilities including those with dyslexia.
Assess Spelling Needs
...
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Spelling tests are a common assessment tool used by teachers to gauge students' proficiency and progress. While students may experience stress or anxiety during such tests, effective strategies can help alleviate these feelings and improve performance.
Here are our top strategies to help students excel in spelling tests:
Preparation Strategies:
Study Regularly: Encourage students to study spelling words consistently over a longer period instead of cramming them all in at the last minute. Regular practice helps reinforce memory and familiarity with the words.
Break Words into Chunks: For longer or more challenging words, teach students to break them down...
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Limiting myths and misconceptions about spelling can lead to students to believe they will never improve. It’s time to set the record straight! In today's blog post, we'll debunk these myths and show you how to take your spelling to the next level.
Myth 1: ‘You're Either Born a Good Speller or You're Not.’
Reality: While some individuals may have a natural inclination towards spelling, it's a skill that can be developed through practice and learning. Rather than from an innate talent, strong spelling skills come from understanding spelling patterns and consistent practice. Spellzone’s learning pathways – bespoke for...
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Welcome to Spellzone! As a parent or teacher, you know that helping students with spelling homework can sometimes feel like a challenge. In this blog post, we'll explore some creative ideas for spelling homework that will keep students motivated and excited about learning.
Create Spelling Word Art: Encourage students to transform their spelling words into works of art. Write each word in a different font or style, then decorate the page with illustrations or designs related to its meaning. This activity will allow students to tap into their creativity while also reinforcing spelling skills.
Spelling Scavenger Hunt: Turn spelling practice into an adventure by...
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Language is a versatile tool for self-expression and allows individuals to convey their thoughts, emotions, and identities in diverse ways. Our word choices not only reflect our linguistic abilities but also play a crucial role in shaping how we are perceived by others. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricate relationship between spelling and self-expression, while also examining the delicate balance between individuality and adherence to standard English conventions.
The Power of Words:
Words hold immense power to convey meaning, evoke emotions, and shape perceptions. As we communicate with others, the words we choose become a reflection of our unique identities and...
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In today's digital age, emails and online messaging have become the norm for professional and personal communication. This means good spelling is essential. Your written words often demonstrate your professionalism, attention to detail, and credibility.
Here are some top tips to ensure your spelling shines in email and online communication:
Proofread, Then Proofread Again
Before hitting send, take a moment to proofread your message carefully. Look out for any common spelling errors, typos, or autocorrect mishaps that might have slipped through the cracks. A second pair of eyes can also be invaluable in catching mistakes you might have missed.
Use...
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In today's fast-paced and competitive professional landscape, strong communication skills are essential for career advancement. While many focus on verbal communication and presentation skills, written communication, particularly spelling proficiency, is often overlooked. However, mastering spelling can significantly impact your career prospects and set you apart from the competition. Join us as we explore how improving your spelling can be a catalyst for career growth and development.
The Importance of Spelling in the Workplace
Effective communication is the cornerstone of success in any profession. Spelling errors in emails, reports, presentations, and other written...
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Spelling is the foundation of effective communication, but it can also be a source of frustration for many students. Fortunately, understanding a few key spelling rules can significantly enhance your ability to spell words correctly. Join us as we explore the top five spelling rules that every student should know- you’ll be a confident and proficient speller in no time!
The Magic Silent ‘E’
One of the most iconic spelling rules involves the magic of the silent ‘e’. When a word ends with a consonant followed by the letter ‘e’, not only is the ‘e’ is usually silent, but it also affects the pronunciation of the preceding vowel by...
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In the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), precision is paramount. Whether you're a student, researcher, or enthusiast, mastering the spelling of scientific terms is essential for effective communication and comprehension. Join us as we explore spelling in STEM and discover strategies for tackling complex scientific words with confidence.
Understanding Scientific Terminology:
Scientific terminology may seem like a labyrinth of letters and symbols, but fear not! Many scientific words derive from Latin or Greek roots, which provide clues to their pronunciation and spelling. By breaking down these words into their constituent parts, you can unlock their...
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In today's digital age, spellcheckers and grammar correction tools offer quick fixes for our writing oversights. Though these automated tools are helpful, relying solely on them can sometimes lead to overlooked mistakes and missed opportunities for improvement.
In this blog post, we'll explore the art of manual proofreading and share effective techniques for spotting spelling errors.
The Limitations of Spellcheckers
While spellcheckers are invaluable tools for catching many spelling errors, they have their limitations. Here are a few common scenarios where spellcheckers may fall short:
Technical Jargon: Spellcheckers may struggle with specialised terminology or...
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English is a language known for its quirks and irregularities, making it a challenging to learn. For ESL (English as a Second Language) learners, navigating the intricacies of English spelling can be particularly daunting. However, by understanding common pitfalls and employing effective strategies, ESL learners can overcome spelling challenges and enhance their language skills.
Silent Letter Strategies
Silent letters add an extra layer of complexity to English spelling. These letters appear in the spelling, but they are not pronounced.
TIP: When you learn words with silent letters, use the Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check spelling activity. Click on the speaker to hear the word...
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Introduction to Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs can be tricky. Unlike regular verbs, which follow predictable patterns when conjugated, irregular verbs have unique forms that don't conform to standard rules.
In this guide, we'll focus on their past simple and past participle forms to help you wield them with confidence.
Crack the Code: Past Simple and Past Perfect Tenses Explained
Before we dive into some spelling patterns, let's break down two important verb tenses: the past simple and the past perfect.
The past simple tense is used to talk about actions that happened in the past.
For example:
She ran five miles.
We went to the shop.
They ate...
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Would you like to launch a spelling bee competition for your school, academy trust, or school district? Spellzone's multiplayer function allows you to effortlessly host spelling bee competitions to engage students while supporting spelling development. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up and executing a spelling bee event using Spellzone. Whether you're aiming to showcase your school's top spellers or foster friendly competition between schools, Spellzone will ensure your event runs seamlessly.
Let’s get started…
Enabling Multiplayer Games on Your Spellzone Account
Before diving into your competition, make sure multiplayer games...
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