Stop the Spelling Struggle! The Smarter Way to Teach Words

Have you ever given your students a list of spelling words, drilled them all week, and still watched them struggle on Friday’s test? If so, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest myths about spelling instruction—and sharing research-backed strategies that actually help students retain spelling patterns for the long haul.

We’ll dive into how spelling and phonics go hand in hand, why memorization doesn’t work, and how to teach spelling in a way that sticks. Plus, I’ll share simple tweaks you can make today to align spelling instruction with the research.

In this episode, we'll explore... 

• Why traditional spelling drills don’t work—and what to do instead.
• How to integrate spelling into phonics instruction for stronger retention.
• Easy, evidence-based strategies like sound mapping to make spelling stick.

Show Links

Spelling Rule Posters
Spelling Rules Cheat Sheet
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