Why Teaching Spelling Can Boost Students’ Reading Skills

By Sarah Schwartz for Education Week

All computers come with spellcheckers and iPhones autocorrect their users’ texts. But despite those everyday features, formal spelling instruction still pays off, the findings of a new study suggest.

This recent meta-analysis examined 59 studies of spelling interventions for students who had, or were at risk for, learning disabilities across grades K-9. The lessons had a small but significant effect on children’s spelling—but also boosted their reading abilities.

“Spelling, especially when you think about early literacy, isn’t just about accuracy all the time,” said Brennan Chandler, an assistant professor of dyslexia at Georgia State University. “It’s really about how we can help kids crack the code of written language, and build that mental dictionary that makes word-reading automatic.”

The findings add to an existing body of research demonstrating that teaching spelling can make students stronger readers. And they also point to what kind of spelling instruction might deliver the greatest returns.

“We really looked under the hood,” said Chandler. “We wanted to find, what are the active ingredients that make spelling approaches really matter?”

Continue reading here.

For fast help with your student’s spelling, check out our program Spelling Ninja! The program guides students to rapidly develop the essential visual memory skills that lead to effortless spelling as well as reading and writing.

Reading Kingdom is an online K-3 reading program that uses a new “phonics-plus” model to teach students to read and write at a 3rd grade level with comprehension. Sign up for a complimentary Reading Kingdom trial (or any of our other products) here.

We also have a program for students on the autism spectrum and others who face unique learning challenges called ASD Reading. Sign up for a complimentary trial of ASD Reading.

State & Charter school funding is available! Look for your program and begin using your education funds today!

Want to help a child in need learn to read? Try shopping at our Amazon affiliate store where a portion of every sale goes towards teaching kids the life-changing skill of reading.