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Hi everyone!

My second DS (7 yo, starting 2nd grade) is struggling with spelling. He seems to really be struggling with sight words, such as when, what, are, said, etc. Any ideas of how to cement these for him this year? We have gone about halfway through List 1 spelling words in Beyond, and he has done pretty well with them when we get to the end of the unit. It just seems like some of them are not sticking in his little mind over time. I don't want to overwhelm him with "extra" spelling words this year, but I also don't want to ignore his problems with sight words and just hope for the best, you know? Thanks ahead of time for any and all ideas!

Oh, and I meant to add that he easily reads all the sight words (he is reading on about a 3rd/4th grade level), it is just the spelling that is tripping him up. Thanks!

Just to double-check - you are doing all of the spelling plans in the LA box I am sure? I love reading your posts, and I know you have been using HOD for awhile and more than likely are, but I'll just throw that out there as the plans in the guide helped my oldest not so natural of a speller become a good speller. Assuming you're doing the whole index card/markerboard/copying thing, I'd continue on with the lists, and on the day each week in the plans when you do extra work on the difficult words, I'd just do whichever 3 words or so he struggled with the most. One other thing I think is important to do - when my dc are writing anything else (whether in school or not), it has been helpful to immediately have them fix their misspelled words by writing the correct spelling on a post-it note or markerboard to help them. This helps 'erase' the incorrect image of the word from their mind, and replace it with the correct image (spelling). Dictation along with copywork and continual checking/correcting of misspelled words over time makes a HUGE difference in accuracy. However, it takes time - real time - as in years. Slow and steady is the name of the game in this sort of pre-dictation kind of spelling, and then in dictation to follow. It all works together, so keep on pressing on, and you will see results over the next years! Hope something here helps!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks, Julie! Yes, we have been following the HOD guidelines in Beyond for spelling the whole time so far. I like the idea of correcting words any time he spells them wrong, no matter what/when he is writing.

Thanks again for the encouragement!