Spelling for Life Uncovering the Simplicity and Science of Spelling

There is a myth that English spelling is unnecessarily complex, and it is spread by those who don’t understand the writing system. Spelling for Life offers lucid, accessible tools which help to reveal that, when explicitly and systematically taught, spelling is scientific, law-abiding and even elegant. Using a synthesis of theory, research and teaching experience, the fascinating nature of English spelling is systematically teased out. The examples and exercises throughout offer an encouraging, accessible way to implement the program of study and strive to reveal the beauty of spelling. Spelling for Life enables teachers and students to: • learn what the common spelling coping strategies are; • gain insights into undoing poor spelling habits; • work together to reveal patterns not only in regular spelling, but also in words which on the surface seem to break the spelling rules; • practise successful spelling strategies, progressing from simple to complex words rapidly and with confidence. This new and improved edition includes updated spelling techniques as well as new chapters on orthographic mapping, spelling assessment, teaching consonant clusters well and suffixing rules. Aided by example lessons, formative assessments, unique tools, a scope and sequence, and extensive practice lists, this highly acclaimed overview of spelling succeeds in developing theory and practice in the writing system for teacher and student alike.

Introduction Orthographic Mapping Spelling Assessment Broken Rules and Word Stories Word Families Homophones Mnemonics Counting Syllables Affixes The Spelling Formula The Difference Between Vowels and Consonants What Consonants Say Round the Blend Illegal Letters The Single Vowels The Letter ‘y’ Final Silent E, Jobs 1-3 FINAL SILENT E Job 4 Final Silent E and Suffixes Final Silent E Additional Jobs The Wicked Sisters and Other Wacky Rs The Vowel Generator Strong and Weak Syllables Schwa To Double or not to Double? The return of illegal ‘i’ The Suffix Generator More Fascinating Patterns Some Delightful Lists A Suggested Scope and Sequence Appendix 1. Forgive me, Scotland Appendix 2. The Triangle Game Appendix 3 Why not just make spelling simpler?

Lyn Stone is a linguist and author in private practice. She lives and works in Victoria, Australia, where she runs her education consultancy, Lifelong Literacy. Her goal is to help teachers awaken linguistic curiosity in their students using creative, engaging tools and strategies, based upon scientific consensus as to what constitutes best practice.