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Kids who are homeschooled have a distinct advantage when it comes to learning to spell. When you don't have a teacher assigning you a list of words each week, you can focus on the words you don't know but want to use.

To begin with, just write something. You can write stories and songs and lists of things you want to do when you grow up. Look online for fun writing prompts.

McPherson (2008) suggests that you have someone proofread your writing and look for misspelled words. The words you spelled wrong last week will become your spelling words for this week.

Once you have your list, start having fun with words. You can write your spelling words out in different colors with markers or crayons. Try writing them with sidewalk chalk or glitter glue. Bake pretzel words for a snack. Write each word on an index card and then cut the syllables apart. Mix all the parts together and then see if you can reassemble the words.

Keep writing, and don't worry about spelling things wrong. You should be trying to write the words that you think or feel. Don't try to avoid misspelling words by just sticking to the ones you know or your writing will suffer.

Remember that each misspelled word means a new word adventure next week. Be adventurous, and try new words. Keep a journal of words you misspelled in the past and see if you spelled them right later.

The best way to learn spelling doesn't involve an arbitrary list of words and a test. Spelling, writing, and reading are all related. When your learn spelling by having fun, you will remember how to spell your words.

Chase-Lockwood and Masino (2002) found that kids learn how to spell best when they focus on learning the words they want to write. If you just take a list from a book and memorize how to spell those words, you will probably forget how to spell them later, and you may never use them.

However, if you read or heard a word recently and now you want to try using it in your own writing, you will be much better at learning the correct spelling.

If you hate writing, try writing something different. If stories or poems or songs aren't your thing, make comic books instead. Write a list of all the toys you want from the toy catalog, or write a list of reasons why your brother is annoying.

There is probably a reason you don't like writing, and bad spelling may be the reason.

REFERENCES

Chase-Lockwood, R, Masino, M, 2002, Improving Student Spelling Skills through the Use of Effective Teaching Strategies. Master of Arts Action Research Project, Saint Xavier University.

McPherson, J 2008, 'Not Just Another Spelling Bee, Teaching Spelling,' Practical Homeschooling, July-August, i83.