Spelling
it Right

Books
So far as spelling books for parents, teachers and students themselves are concerned I'm going to suggest that you look at several to see if they fit your particular requirements. Unfortunately some of them are not available in England so I have to rely on recommendations from my contacts in the USA who tell me that they complement the worksheets they are using from Spelling it Right.

My Kid Can't Spell : Understanding and Assisting Your Child's Literacy Development The title says it all really: Richard Gentry offers practical guidance for parents who want to play a more active role in their children's education. Click here for more information >> My Kid Can't Spell: Understanding and Assisting Your Child's Literacy Development

For parents and teachers of students in grade 4 and upwards, Spelling Smart is a ready-to-use activities program combining whole language concepts and phonics strategies to teach students with spelling difficulties how to spell by recognizing patterns and consistencies rather than memorizing hundreds of isolated words. Included are step-by-step instructions for utilizing the program followed by 40 sequential lessons covering Sounds, Syllables, Word Building, Rules and Generalizations accompanied by diagnostic tools, word lists, and 200 reproducible activity sheets. Click here to read about the program >> Spelling Smart!: A Ready-To-Use Activities Program for Students With Spelling DifficultiesSpelling Smart! : A Ready-to-Use Activities Program for Students with Spelling Difficulties

Spell Well (Grades 4 - 8) 50 Quick, Fun-Filled Ways to Help Kids of All Learning Styles Master Their Spelling Words Easy, classroom-tested activities and games designed to be used with a regular spelling program or with students' independent word lists to motivate even the most reluctant spellers and writers.
Click here to view>> Spell Well (Grades 4-8)

Written for ages 9 and up,  How to Spell Like a Champ shows kids how to build word lists, and organize and study them most effectively. It introduces knowledge of etymology, word roots, and spelling patterns. The book is a spelling bee primer for the ten million kids who participate in Scripps Spelling Bees on the local level.
Don't forget to read the five star customer reviews.

Spelling Power by Beverley L. Adams-Gordon has been highly recommended to me by Homeschooling parents. It is rather expensive but users of this program feel that it's good value for money as it can be followed right through from grades 3 to 12. Click here for more details >> Spelling Power 3rd Edition and remember to look at the very positive customer reviews. To read a much more detailed description go to Spelling Power - How to Use It but don't forget to come back here to Spelling it Right!
Notice that Amazon often advertise cheaper copies under their "MORE BUYING CHOICES" heading.

Month-by-Month Phonics for Upper Grades: A Second Chance for Struggling Readers and Students Learning English comes highly recommended by teachers, one of whom says "Finally! A book that works for upper elementary students."
It will also be a useful resource for parents too.

If you're familiar with the "Dummies" series of books you'll know that they're always well-written by people who know their business. Teach Your Kid to Spell for Dummies is no exception. It's not available in England so I haven't been able to see a copy yet but looking at the Contents List and knowing Tracey Wood's other work I believe parents will find it most helpful. Look especially at other customers' reviews. Click here to see: Teaching Kids to Spell For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback))

If you're an adult who finds spelling difficult click on: Better Spelling in 30 Minutes a Day (Better English Series) which is very popular among people who never really got to grips with spelling when they were at school

Natural Speller by Kathryn L. Stout is especially liked by Homeschooling parents but would be a useful sourcebook for all parents and teachers. Do read the rave reviews at: Natural Speller

Best Ever Vocabulary and Word Study Games (Grades 4 - 8)Provides games and activities to expand students' vocabulary to help them read, write, and test better. Boost word power and test scores! Analyze word parts in the Verbosaurus game, review vocabulary words in Oh My Word Relay Races, explore synonyms in Synonym Tag, and more!
Click here>> Best-Ever Vocabulary & Word Study Games (Grades 4-8)

The Spelling Workout books use a sports theme. Capitalizing on the close tie between spelling and phonics,the program leads students from simple sound-letter relationships to more complex spelling patterns. Click below on the grades that interest you >>
Spelling Workout: Level A, Student Edition - 1st Grade
Spelling Workout: Level B Student Edition - 2nd Grade
Spelling Workout : Level C (Student Edition)
Spelling Workout, Level D (Student Edition)
Spelling Workout: Level E, Student Edition
Spelling Workout (Student Edition) Level F

If your child has been diagnosed as Dyslexic you may wish to have Margaret Walton's book Teaching Reading and Spelling to Dyslexic Children. Written for teachers and parents, it is easy to understand and contains helpful games, charts and activities. Recommended by homeschoolers on both sides of the Atlantic. Click here for information >> Teaching Reading and Spelling to Dyslexic Children

Teaching Kids to Spell is written primarily for teachers in the elementary grades but will be useful for parents too. Be sure to read the gushing review written by an elementary school teacher! Click here >> Teaching Kids to Spell

A university professor involved in learning research describes Unlocking Literacy: Effective Decoding and Spelling Instruction as providing teachers "with the nuts and bolts they need to get optimal student gains reflecting, as it does, the best of what is known about how to teach decoding and spelling skills." Look at it here >> Unlocking Literacy: Effective Decoding & Spelling Instruction

Dictionaries

One of the most useful and portable tools for weak spellers is an electronic dictionary and one that I like is the Franklin MWD-450 Pocket Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
It fits into a pocket or handbag so you're never without it and provides an 80,000 word Dictionary at your fingertips. There are also nine word games and exercises to help brush up your spelling skills.
But the lifesaver for weak spellers is the spelling correction function. When you type in a wrong spelling the unit will correct the word for you.
If you'd like more information about this and other electronic dictionaries, click here >>
Franklin MWD-450 Pocket Merriam-Webster Dictionary

If you need a dictionary then look no further than the Merriam Webster series. For children, the DK Merriam-Webster Children's Dictionary can't be beaten. The clarity of the presentation makes it very easy to find words and the illustrations are informative and attractive. The definitions are readily understood with helpful examples of the words being used in sentences. Do read the customer reviews on this dictionary. Click here for more info >> DK Merriam-Webster Children's Dictionary

Games

I'm a great believer in making learning fun and there are several relatively cheap commercial games which create an interest in words and therefore help in learning to spell.

The traditional Hangman is a super pencil and paper game and I'm sure everyone is familiar with it. Now there's an electronic handheld version which sits in the palm. With a memory bank of 8,000 words it's great on those long road journeys as an alternative to video games. Read about it by clicking here: Hangman Electronic Handheld Game

Spelling Made Easy is a CD Rom produced by the well-know educational publisher Dorling Kindersley. It features diagnostic testing, exercises and score charts to monitor children's progress and is presented in a TV game show format.