English language: learn it creatively

"Listen to Don McCabe, AVKO Educational Research Foundation's Research Director, speak on the topic of teaching the intricacies of the English language. Go to www.avko.org for more information."

Source of information:
You can't Teach what you know if you don't know that you know it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIwUR5uTRE&feature=related

Spelling Technique

The picture method used in this video can be use for teaching spelling to make learning more fun and interesting!

I think kids will find spelling meaningful if they can link words with picture or drawing, even though they may not be dyslexia!


Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

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Spelling Technique for Dyslexic

"Most dyslexics have problems with reading and spelling, specifically with phonics , decoding words and remembering how to spell them. But for many, visual aids are extremely important in all aspects of learning. This technique uses visual cues within the words to help the child recognize the word and remember how to spell it."

Spelling: Synonym

Do you have problem with this words:

Synonym

I overcome the problem this way:

S and non are the letters I can remember easily.

Syn is hard for me!

I have to convert Syn to Sin, and the sound of sin help me to remember the word.

nym is also hard for me!

I have to convert nym to nim, and the sound of nim help me to remember the word.

As "non" is the one that connect and overlap, hence

Sin + "non" + nim = Sinonim, I then convert the "i"s back to "y"s

Synonym

It is a round about way, yet it works for me!

You may find your own way!

Just keep trying!

Dexterine Ho

Spelling: Egypt

Do you have problem with this word:

Egypt

I remember how to spell it now:

E and t, are the two letter that I can remember as ET is a movie title that I remember.

gyp is hard for me.

I have to convert gyp to gip, and the sound of gip help me to remember the word.

With E + gip + t = Egipt, I then convert the i back to y

E +gyp + t

Egypt is now in my mind!


Dexterine Ho

Spelling make easy!

Woman has Man in it;

Mrs. has Mr . in it;

Female has Male in it; She has He in it;

Madam has Adam in it;

History has His in it.

Ten Best Vocabulary Learning Tips

The Ten Best Vocabulary Learning Tips

For the full text, visit the link at:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/vocabulary_tips.htm


Here are the 10 headings:

1. Read, Read, Read!

2. Improve your context skills.

3. Practice, practice, practice.

4. Make up as many associations and connections as possible.

5. Use mnemonics ( memory tricks).

6. Get in the habit of looking up words you don't know.

7. Play with words.

8. Use vocabulary lists.

9. Take vocabulary tests.

10. Get excited about words!

Fun with words

What these words have in common?


Banana

Dresser

Grammar

Potato

Revive

Uneven

Assess


Answer:

In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter,

place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.


I received the above words list and the answer from a friend. It take me awhile before I am convinced that it works.


Here is my illustration of the two-steps reversed process:


Banana --> ananaB --> Banana

Dresser --> resserD --> Dresser

Grammar --> rammarG --> Grammar

Potato --> otatoP --> Potato

Revive --> eviveR --> Revive

Uneven --> nevenU --> Uneven

Assess --> ssessA --> Assess


I am sure if we check through dictionary and use the same method to pick up words, there will be more words of the same kind!


Dexterine Ho

Reference Desk: refdesk.com

If you need some reference books, dictionaries or encycolpedias etc, visit

http://www.refdesk.com/

I like to use the page and use it to look up words using The free dictionary under

DICTIONARY AND ENCYCLOPEDIA:
TheFreeDictionary.com:

It is a quick way to learn what is the meaning of a word and how the word is pronounced.


Dexterine Ho

Spelling Software: SpellQuizzer

If you use Google and search for "Spelling Software", you will get thousands of hit. How do you select one that is suitable? I think it is good to try those that can let you test for free for a period of time. After trying and testing, you may then make your decision to purchase.

One of such software is SpellQuizzer at
http://www.spellquizzer.com/


To understand how it works, you can view the demo at:


http://www.spellquizzer.com/SpellQuizzer-Demo.htm


Demo 1: Creating a spelling list

Demo 2: Practicing with a spelling list

Demo 3: Sharing a spelling list with others

Demo 4: Importing a spelling list

To download free trial copy, go to:
http://www.SpellQuizzer.com/Download.htm.

You can use the software free for 30 days and test it up with your kids.

In general, children nowadays associate computer with fun and writing on paper with work. Most of the children are more eager to practice their spelling words using spelling software than the traditional way of writing them on paper.

As SpellQuizzer allow the recording of sentences using voice input, you may enter the spelling list with some funny audio recordings of the words in the list to make spelling task fun and amusing!

As schools in Singapore test students' spelling using hand writing method, hence even kids can spell and type the words using the software, it is necessary to test them again using the traditional way: writing on paper.

While writing words on paper, most of the kids are careless and may confuse mirror image letters like d with b, p with q etc., it is important to take note of that when you mark and check their spelling!

With the help of the software, the manual checking task is less tedious as parents only let the kids write out the words after they have learned and typed the words correctly using the software.

With the help of the software, I am sure spelling task will become less stressful for the learner and the parents in the future.

With the help of the software, I am sure learning process will be more productive for kids! Learning spelling will be more fun and interesting.

7 Ways to reinforce spelling

This youtube video gives quick tips to help teachers and students teach and learn new words:



In summary, the 7 ways are:

1. Post words

2. Says-Spell-Write-Draw

3. Use words in a story

4. Present words in chunks

5. Spelling Journals

6. Inform parents and guardians

7. "Words I can't spell" rules

Enjoy the video and hope you improve your spelling along the way!


Dexterine Ho

Learning Vocabulary Can Be Fun

Try this website and use the spelling games to build your vocabulary!

The fun way to learn new words and acquire spelling skills!


Dexterine Ho