The first is to study the word. Let us take the word "Pittsburgh" as an example. When looking at this word, note what is 'special' about this word. For example, it starts with a capital 'P,' there are two 'Ts' next to one another, it is a long word, and it ends with an 'H' even though the last sound is the 'G' sound.
The second strategy when spelling words is to "sound it out." Much like we teach children to "sound out a word" when reading, they should also "sound out" words when spelling. Thus, teach your child to say a word slowly to "hear" all the sounds, then translate it into letters. Have your child say "Pittsburgh" very slowly, so that all the sounds are heard: "Pitt-s-burgh." After you take turns saying the word, have her try to spell the word with pencil and paper.
It is important to note that these strategies aren't mutually exclusive. For example, your child may sound out "Pittsburgh" well using the second strategy, but spell it as "Pitsberg." This is when the first strategy comes in handy. Refer her to the correct spelling of Pittsburgh, and note the "oddities" of the English language/spelling, such as the double 'T' and the silent 'H." Conversely, your child may do well with studying the printed word in the first strategy, but forget how to spell the word "Pittsburgh" as it is a long word. That is when the second strategy comes in. If your child cannot 'remember' how to spell a word, then have her sound it out.
A nice way to practice spelling outside the classroom is to spell words that children encounter in their day-to-day life. This will give your child extra opportunities to spell. Have her spell words that are Pittsburgh-centered as they may be more relevant, or more challenging, or have built in visual cues (think of a sign that she passes each day). Choose words depending on your child's age. Some great Pittsburgh-centered words are:
1. university
2. panther
3. museum
4. city (use a view of the skyline to as a springboard to spell many words: river, building, bridge, tree, etc.)
5. penguin
6. field
7. park
8. energy
9. science
10. children
Images retrieved from 1. http://www.huntington-study-group.org/HSGResearch/HSGResearchSites/UniversityofPittsburgh/tabid/174/Default.aspx 2. http://www.pbase.com/image/20190767 3. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carnegie_Museum_of_Natural_History_04.JPG 4. https://christianconcertalerts.com/pittsburgh-christian-concerts/ 5. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pittsburgh_Penguins-Conklin.jpg 6. http://aviewfrommyseat.com/venue/Heinz+Field/ 7. http://shaler1991.wordpress.com/reunion-weekend-details/ 8. http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/k/z/kzs5222/consolenergycenter.html 9. http://www.familyvacationcritic.com/13-best-nights-at-museums/art/ 10. http://www.kearch.com/work/childrens-museum-of-pittsburgh.
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