Ideas for ways an 8 year old can study spelling words?

Question

My son has been having a hard time with his spelling tests. Thinking we need to try a different technique. Suggestions?

Answer 1

I am a teacher, who doesn't believe in your typical vocabulary or spelling test. Teachers give spelling tests for children to memorize, but don't relaize that memorization does not lead to learning. To help your son with his spelling words make it meaningful for him. Create an experience for him, because this is how children learn. There is a thing called spelling demons. What you do is write a story by breaking apart the words. I'll give you an example, if his spellling words are; example, father, began, country, better, this would be an example story you can make with him. You concentrate on the part of the word that is hardest for the child to spell.

When I was walking home, I forgot I had a spelling EXAM the next day. I went home and realized my spelling test could be simPLE. Now I know how to spell EXAMPLE. Then I looked over at my cat. She was getting very FAT. When I looked at HER, I knew I could put the word together to spell FATHER. Then she started to BEG. She wanted AN onion, yuck, but she taught me how to spell BEGAN. So I got out the onions and decided to COUNT how many there were. My brother RYan came in and said that his favorite COUNTRY is Canada. I BET him that he would not enTER the bathroom after the cat just went in. he was BETTER off staying where he was.

This story lets children see connections, and they will remember the story and the part of the words that are in capitals, that is a must. Make sure when you write the stories, teh parts of the words you want them to remember are in caps. This was they will be able to connect and see patterns in spelling through other words. Writing the stories may take some practice, but if you ever need help send me his words and I'll be glad to help. Also here are so more ideas if that one doesn't work,

Have your son write his words in m&m's or skittles, then when they spell it correctly they can eat the words. (I usually don't promote having the child rewarded for doing this, but for some this may work)

Sing the letters as you spell them. Making a song or rythm to the words will help the child remember the word and be able to remember it in the long run.

Flash cards, writing the words out in sentences, writing the words three times or anything from this nature does not work. It only promotes rote memorization and the child will have problems recalling the information later in life. Helping the child distinguish patterns in a fun way will lead to more than memorization, it will lead to learning!

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

Spelling Words For 8 Year Olds

Answer 3

When he first gets the words in the beginning of the week have him write them down 3, 4 or even 5 times each. He can come up with a sentence using each word. Make flash cards with part of the word and make a blank line and have him tell you the missing letter.
When I was in 5th grade this is how I learned to spell geography... George Elliot's Oldest Grandmother Rode A Pig Home Yesterday. You can use this technique as well.
He needs to be able to pronounce the words correctly. Use more verbal and visuals and he should start improving.

Hey and tell him if he gets an A he gets a special treat.

Answer 4

Are they arbitrary words, or do they have some sort of a spelling pattern? I would assume that your child is in 1st or 2nd grade--at least that's the grade an 8 year old would be in MA--and we usually have them follow some type of pattern. I'd be willing to bet that you've already tried the memorization route and writing them 3 times each, as that's what they did for us when we were in school.......
It's important that your child have some association for each word...for instance....if you want to choose the correct version of "here" or "hear", you remember that "hear" has "ear" in it and that's the one that you do when you listen because you listen with your ears. Another thing to try is if your child knows how to spell a similar word, with the same spelling pattern, such as "mother" s/he can then use the "other" ending because they sound the same to build words like brother. Relate the words to words your child DOES know. I'd imagine that your child is already at a frustration level with this or you wouldn't have posted.....Learn a few words a day so that it's not so overwhelming. The less time you spend sitting still the better. Do it when you're walking to make it more kinesthetic......take steps as you say each letter. Play a game of hopschotch. Make letter cards for each letter or use magnetic letters on the back of a cookie sheet. Allow your child to build the words and to take off letters and replace them to build new related words. Make a game of it so it isn't so frustrating.
Just be sure your child is able to hear the sounds in the word before encouraging him/her to "sound it out". If you don't know what letters make particular sounds, you certainly can't use that routine!

Hope some of those ideas help. IM me if you want more...

Answer 5

While I really like the strategies Katelyn Beth discussed in her answer, I disagree that memorization doesn't lead to learning. Memorization is a valuable tool to use in life. I'd be happy to provide some research for anyone interested. I agree though, that memorizing spelling words for a test is not meaningful and authentic like other strategies. I've found that both memorizing, word study, and associations (like Katelyn Beth described) are ALL useful tools to help a child learn how to spell words (and retain that information to correctly spell the words in the future).

Are there specific areas in which your son is struggling? Vowel blends, affixes, beginning and end sounds? Sometimes the techniques you choose to study depend on the types of problems the child is having. You've got a lot of great answers from people. Give 'em a go. :)

Answer 6

Here's what I'm learning with my kid: Start studying the day the words come home and start doing practice tests on day two, so that you figure out which words need extra attention.

Come up with ways to help the child remember the tough words -- break them down into two easy parts, or occasionally come up acronyms that are easy to remember.

It doesn't hurt to offer a reward for getting 100% (or you can start it at 90% or 80% depending on where your child is). Better yet, give them the reward at home as soon as they can get 100% (or 80%) when you test them -- then school testing will take care of itself. But be careful that you don't put too much pressure and encourage cheating. Test your child's spelling yourself to make sure he knows the words and isn't reading them off his hand or the wall! (if that happens, a discussion about honesty will also be in order . . .)

Answer 7

A good idea for your eight year old is for you to build a game out of his spelling words. Don't bribe him but incourage him. You could take one of your board games from home like clue and for each word you can make clues on how to spell the word right or even clues that will lead to the right word and then have him spell it. I went to a college visit at Grace College in Warsaw Indiana. My kindergarten teacher was the professior and she was a great teacher and still is. Her name is Professor Owens. If you would like you can contact me and give me your contact information and I can forward on your mailing address so you can tell her what is going and I know she will be able to help you. Let her know that I referred you.

Mathew Z.

Answer 8

1.Write the words in sand, dirt, bubbly bath water, whipped cream, shaving cream, etc.
2.Write the words in the air.
3. Make flashcards to study and review.
4. Modeling clay writing - Flatten the clay and use a pencil to "write" a spelling word in it. Smooth over the clay for the next word.
5.Write the words with colored chalk on black construction paper.
6.Write each word and cross out any silent letters.
7.Draw a picture and “hide” the words in the picture.

Good luck! I hope these help....

Answer 9

Here are a couple of things that have worked for me:

Some learners do best when their sense of touch/ movement is involved- try putting sand in a cookie sheet and having him write the words in the sand with his finger, or having him hop while spelling the words, one hop to each letter.

Sometimes it helps to see the word in new ways. Write the words out in a big font and then cut them up by syllable to form word puzzles. Lay the syllables on the table and say a word to your son. He then finds the syllables that make up that word and puts them together in front of him.

Use your imagination, and good luck!

Answer 10

I have my son write the words several times. Then we do a practice test where he has to write them down. The ones he misses, he has to again write several times. We repeat this process twice a night. The problem with flashcards is that he is verbally spelling, not writing as he would during a test.