If you are considering or doing home schooling there are some benchmarks you can use. When your child has reached the equivalency of second grade they have already learned a host of language items. One of these critical learning elements is that of correct spelling. Home educators just like teachers work diligently to reinforce spelling words at the second grade level. As a home educator you can follow the methodical approach to teaching second grade spelling that is used by education professionals. This approach makes the process predictable and comfortable for the children in the home classroom.
Following a systematic process allows the child to get comfortable with the learning process. Structure provides a sense of security for the child in dealing with second grade speeling words. A list of curriculum is generally organized by vowel sounds.
This provides an added bonus of understanding phonics while learning vowels as a part of spelling. This is better than creating a haphazard list of 2nd grade spelling words as educators can choose to introduce them by sound and by common elements, namely vowels. When using the vowel approach generally the short "a" vowel sounds are first. This is a deliberate approach since "a" is the first vowel in the alphabet, it is the wise letter of choice in this first list of 2nd grade spelling words. This is especially true since children often see terms such as "cat, hat, and bat" on this list. That of course is followed by the short "e" vowel sound.
The list then follows the next vowel by the order of the alphabet and so on. In this early spelling area for second grade spelling words a simple approach is used where only one syllable words with short vowel sounds are introduced. Once a home student has demonstrated a mastery of these short vowel lists of 2nd grade spelling words they are ready to move on to more complex and more challenging words. Generally combinations of vowels, specifically words that end in "e" are now used. The same alphabetical list used with the short vowel sound collection of 2nd grade spelling words is used for the more advanced combinations. After learning to spell words that end in the letter "e" vowels are paired in small words like "mail".
This methodical approach involves careful planning and organization. In following the structured strategy you will watch your child maximize their learning potential.
Jerry Cahill is an author/researcher who is dedicated to helping people find the resources, books, news and information on education. Learn more at Home Schooling
