Research has indicated that adding mind-set and self-regulation strategy instruction to the writers' workshop framework may improve motivation, independence, and academic success in young writers. Invented spelling can strengthen the relation between phonological and orthographic representations. The authors examined the impact of growth mind-set…

There is considerable evidence on the connections between emergent literacy-related skills in preschool-age and successful reading and writing. The purpose of this double-designed experimental/descriptive study was to analyse the impact of invented spelling activities on kindergarten children's spelling performance and to explore adult mediation…

There has been less research on how children learn to spell than on how they learn to read, but a good deal is now known about spelling development. This article reviews studies of normative development, beginning with children's early scribbles and proceeding to prephonological spelling involving letters, phonologically influenced invented…

Our aim was to assess the impact of an invented spelling programme conducted in small groups on children's written language acquisition in Portuguese. We expected the experimental group to have better post-test results than the control group in spelling and reading. Participants were 160 preschool-age children who were randomly divided into an…

This succinct guide notes that spelling rules are sometimes strange and wondrous and often more than a little complex. The guide presents rules for: (1) forming plurals and "s" forms of verbs; (2) forming possessives; (3) adding suffixes; (4) forming prefixes; and (5) the "ei" or "ie" rule. The guide notes the…

Examines how students decide how to approach spelling questions in their writing. Suggests several strategies to help students improve their spelling abilities. Concludes that all of the strategies place the burden of responsibility on the writer--the student--to communicate effectively. Notes the importance of students shifting from inventive…

Examines the historical background of children's invented spelling, describes and exemplifies the stages of spelling development, and discusses current research concerning the effects of the use of invented spelling on learning to read. Explores the development of invented spelling in journal writing and articulates ways to foster children's…

Investigates possible developmental trends in children's invented spelling (or spelling errors) in Chinese elementary schools. Notes that regression analysis for linear trend shows that a developmental trend in the use of spelling strategies exists: at the lower elementary level, phonological strategies predominate; as grade level advances, the…

A study determined the impact encouragement of invented spelling has on a child's writing through a comparison of writing samples produced by children encouraged to use invented spelling with writing samples by children encouraged to use conventional spelling. Three first grade classes participated in this study, two of which are located in…

Highlights the teacher's critical role in spelling instruction and provides examples of how to support spelling development in classrooms. Argues that educators need to look closely at children's emerging capacities as writers, focusing especially on the issue of invented spelling, and its use and misuse in classroom practices. (SG)

Discusses children's use of invented spelling and explores developmental considerations in learning to spell. Suggests characteristics of an effective spelling program, including 60 to 75 minutes of instruction allocated over a 3- to 4-day cycle, and use of test-study sequences for directed word study. (ET)

Over the last 30 years, much has been learned about how children develop as spellers. During that time, the literary confidence of many kindergarten, 1st-, and 2nd-grade children has been damaged by insisting they use conventional spelling when, in their thinking, it is impossible to understand how words can be spelled conventionally. This article…

Outlines a theory of developmental spelling, evolved from research on children's invented spellings, that can show teachers when best to teach aspects of spelling. Provides examples and several minilessons of the alternative approach to spelling instruction called Word Study, whereby words are examined by sound, by within-word patterns, and by…

This report describes two preliminary studies (a pilot study involving 11 children and a main study involving 24 children) that examined letters chosen in the spelling of nonsense words to determine whether children with learning difficulties in spelling exhibit systematic ways of spelling. The studies showed that phoneme-grapheme grammars differ…

Presents a group-guided invented-spelling instructional strategy called "Making Words" which teachers can use with beginning readers to develop their ability to spell words and to apply this knowledge when decoding during reading. Discusses how to plan and teach the strategy. Describes two sample lessons, and explores why the strategy works. (PRA)