The Gentle Way I Build Spelling Skills in the Early Years
When it comes to spelling, I believe the foundation starts long before we ever pull out a workbook or give a word list. During the early years — roughly kindergarten through second grade — I focus heavily on reading aloud (with my kids following along whenever possible) and regular copywork. I aim to surround them with as much written language as possible: reading together, encouraging their independent reading, turning on subtitles during shows, and offering meaningful copywork.
At this age, my kids are often eager to write little notes or stories, and when they ask how to spell something, I happily tell them. I don’t expect perfect spelling — I just want to nurture their curiosity and confidence. Instead of a formal curriculum, I rely on immersion and gentle structure to build a strong foundation that we can build on in the later years.
How I Choose Copywork and Spelling Words in Our Homeschool
Choosing spelling words doesn’t have to be complicated — in our home, it usually starts with a book we already love. We have a few picture books and chapter books we’ve read again and again, and since my kids are already familiar with the story, they make excellent choices for copywork. Sometimes a particular passage in our read-aloud really stands out, and we’ll use that as our copywork passage for the week.
When we were using The Good and the Beautiful, I took note of how they introduced spelling rules throughout the book. I still follow that flexible list when I’m choosing passages. For example, if we’re focusing on spelling rule #1 and I notice that our current read-aloud is full of words using that pattern, I’ll mark it down to use. I usually have both kids working on the same spelling rule, but of course, my oldest gets a more challenging passage or list.
Once a passage is selected, we spend the week studying it — especially the challenging words — with the goal of either copying it perfectly (for my younger student) or writing it from dictation (for my older one). At the end of the week, I also give my children a chance to propose spelling words they’d like to learn. This small choice keeps them motivated and invested.
And just in case you’re unfamiliar:
- Copywork allows the student to read and copy a passage word for word, while dictation means the student listens to the passage read aloud and then writes it from memory.
A Peek at Our Spelling Week From First Read to Dictation
Monday: Introduce and Read the Passage
We start the week by reading the passage aloud a couple of times. Each of my students takes a turn reading and calls out any tricky words they might struggle to spell. We spend a few minutes studying those words before reading the passage again. It’s super simple and really sets the tone for the week.
Tuesday: Vocabulary, Spelling Patterns, and Comprehension
Since copywork and dictation are great opportunities to explore vocabulary, we take time to discuss any unfamiliar words. We talk about their meanings, how they can be used in a sentence, and highlight any spelling patterns we notice. I also give them a moment to review their challenging words before we move on with our day.
Wednesday: Hands-On Spelling Practice
Midweek, we shift to a more hands-on approach. This could mean using letter tiles, tracing words, or even playing a quick game of hangman. The goal is to make spelling feel engaging and memorable. We always take a moment to review tricky words before wrapping up.
Thursday: Copywork with a Focus on Mastery
Thursday is our copywork day. For most kids, this is their first time writing out the entire passage. I don’t tell my kids how they should study during the week—I want them to discover what works best for them. Copywork gives them a chance to see how confident they feel with the spelling of each word.
Friday: Dictation Day (The Gentle Test)
Friday is what traditional school would call the spelling test—but it’s much gentler here. My older students write the entire passage while I dictate it. Our goal is mastery, not speed. If a word is misspelled, we’ll stick with the passage until it’s confidently mastered. That might take a week, or it might take several—and that’s okay.
Simple Dictation Strategies That Build Confidence
Dictation can feel intimidating at first, so we keep it gentle by starting small and focusing on steady, supportive habits that build confidence over time. My first tip is to start with short passages to build endurance. I also find it helpful to use passages your children are already familiar with.
When dictating, I speak slowly and clearly, enunciating each word and sound carefully. If you’re following a Charlotte Mason approach, it’s worth noting that Miss Mason advised teachers not to repeat passages or words during dictation. This no-repetition rule encourages children to listen closely and focus on what’s being said.
If dictation hasn’t been part of your homeschool routine, you might encounter some pushback at first. I encourage regular, gentle practice so both you and your child can build confidence together.
Adding Latin Roots to the Mix
One way we gently level up our language lessons is by adding in Latin roots each week. It’s a simple habit that makes a big impact on spelling, vocabulary, and word confidence
In our homeschool, we use a lot of the Michael Clay Thompson curriculum, which includes an entire book dedicated to the language of ancient Rome—Latin—the foundation of modern academic English.
One of my favorite resources for weaving Latin roots into our routine is Caesar’s English. It’s beautifully rich, full of Latin stems, nonfiction word lists, grammar integration, and writing activities that build both vocabulary and spelling in meaningful ways.
We love to turn these Latin stems into a bit of a game—using our dictionary for scavenger hunts to find additional words that match the root, prefix, or suffix we’re studying.
What I especially love is knowing that when I teach Latin, I’m strengthening both spelling and vocabulary skills at the same time!
What We Do When Spelling Doesn’t Stick
Even with the best spelling strategies in place, tricky words still trip us up—and that’s totally normal. When I notice a specific word or spelling pattern repeatedly causing frustration, I’ll take a break from it altogether. More often than not, after some time away, my child has quietly worked it out in her little brain and can suddenly spell the word or recognize the pattern with much more ease.
If a break doesn’t feel necessary just yet, I’ll turn to multisensory tools to keep things fun and engaging. This might look like spelling the word with her finger in shaving cream on the table, rolling playdough into letter shapes, building the word with craft sticks, or even making up a silly rhyme or song to reinforce the pattern.
Another simple and effective tactic is to point out the tricky word or pattern when we see it “in the wild”—on a grocery store sign, in a picture book, or on a billboard. It’s a gentle way to reinforce spelling without adding extra work to your day. These casual, in-the-moment connections are often where the real learning sticks.
Teaching the Logic Behind Spelling with Patterns
Instead of teaching spelling as a list of rules with endless exceptions, I’ve found it more helpful to present them as patterns—logical groupings that kids can actually recognize and apply. Here are a few of the main spelling patterns we’ve been focusing on:
- When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking.
- I before E, except after C.
- When a word ends with a single vowel followed by a single consonant, double the consonant before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel.
- Drop the final ‘e’ before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel.
- Change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ before adding a suffix—unless the suffix begins with ‘i.
- When adding a suffix to a word that ends with a silent ‘e,’ drop the ‘e’ if the suffix begins with a vowel, but keep it if the suffix begins with a consonant.
- When a word ends in a consonant + ‘l,’ double the ‘l’ before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel
- When adding a suffix to a word ending in a silent ‘e,’ keep the ‘e’ if the suffix begins with a consonant to maintain the word’s meaning and pronunciation.
- When a word ends with a consonant + ‘y,’ change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ before adding suffixes like -ed, -er, or -est, but keep the ‘y’ before -ing.
- When adding ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ to make plurals, add ‘-es’ if the word ends in s, x, z, ch, or sh.
How I Track What We’ve Covered
Keeping track of what we’ve covered in our homeschool doesn’t have to be complicated. My digital system in Notion keeps everything organized and at my fingertips even during the busiest seasons. Within my setup, I have a spot to jot down notes across all subjects for both of my kids. It’s a working system, which means I tweak and update it as needed.
Right now, I really appreciate the flexibility of a digital setup, especially while working full time. I can access everything from any device, no matter where I am. In each student’s notes, I keep a list of “skills to master this quarter” and check them off as we go. It’s nothing fancy—but it’s simple, effective, and works beautifully for us.
Spelling is such an important skill, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or stressful especially when we build it gently, step by step. From immersing our kids in rich language early on, to thoughtfully choosing copywork and spelling passages, to using a consistent weekly rhythm that includes hands-on practice and gentle dictation, we create a supportive environment where spelling can truly stick. Adding in Latin roots deepens vocabulary and spelling understanding, while allowing breaks and using fun multisensory tools helps us navigate the tricky spots without frustration. Teaching spelling as recognizable patterns instead of confusing rules makes learning logical and approachable. And having a simple system to track progress means nothing slips through the cracks, even in a busy homeschool household.
If you’re looking for encouragement, ideas, and a supportive community to walk alongside you in your homeschool journey, I’d love to invite you to join In My Homeschool Era my free homeschool community where we share resources, encouragement, and honest conversations about the ups and downs of homeschooling. Click here to join and find your tribe of fellow homeschool moms who get it!
Thanks so much for spending this time with me. Here’s to building confident spellers and joyful learners—one word at a time!
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