The Golden Vowel Rule:
The Golden Vowel Rule is the most important rule. There are a lot of reading and spelling rules, but all of those rules get broken frequently. This rule is the one rule that hardly ever gets broken.
- One of the most effective ways to improve spelling is to segment words into syllables and make sure every syllable has at least one vowel.
- Here is a post about vowels and consonants: https://thevowelcoach.com/?s=syllables
Rule #2:
The second rule forces kids to slow down and listen carefully in order to make better spelling choices.
- Emphasize that when a vowel says its name in a word it usually has a way to spell its name in the word.
- I have written individual posts for A, E, I, O and U. Here is my post for the vowel A:https://thevowelcoach.com/?s=vowel+a
- Sorting pictures according to whether the letter is saying its name or sound is another strategy that will help the child slow down and make better spelling choices.
- Accuracy is less important than the child demonstrating that he or she knows that the letter has to spell its name.
- We know that “cape” is spelled with a magic e. If a child spells cape “caip” or “cayp,” the child is still showing us that he/she knows the vowel has to spell its name to say its name.
Rule #3:
Reading and spelling is all about listening to the sounds the letters are making.
- As you say each letter of the alphabet, listen to hear if the vowel sound in the letter’s name is saying its long or short sound.
Rule #4
Rule number four reminds kids to “spell” the name of a consonant when the consonant says its name.
- Long vowel spelling patterns help us spell the name of consonants in words.
