TRT Podcast #152: The phases of spelling development – with Dr. Richard Gentry
Dr. Richard Gentry, spelling expert, describes the phases of spelling development, lists do’s and don’ts for spelling instruction, and explains what to do for children who struggle with spelling.
Listen to the episode here
Full episode transcript
Books and resources from Dr. Richard Gentry
- Brain Words (with Gene Ouellette)
- GO READ! Building Brain Words for Beginners
- More books by Richard Gentry
- Spelling Connections curriculum
- Podcast interview on dyslexia with Melissa and Lori Love Literacy
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!
Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you. Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!
Free Spelling Games
Get this fun variety of sample spelling games from the membership site! The download includes resources for spelling CVCE words, long vowel teams, and multi-syllable words.
Anna David
Is AAS a good spelling curriculum?
Anna Geiger
All About Spelling is definitely an option. I have not personally used it but am somewhat familiar with their reading program. It does teach phonics systematically and explicitly. I do question the practice of having a spelling curriculum separate from the phonics portion, as I think phonics and spelling should be taught simultaneously (reading and spelling the same patterns) in Kindergarten and first grade, for sure. But from everything I know it’s a fine program.
Sally
Is is confusing when there are different terms used to name the spelling stages. Even when referencing Gentry. Which is the correct terminology?
Anna Geiger
Hi Sally!
I used to get frustrated by this, but now I actually find it kind of freeing to know that there aren’t official names for the spelling phases/stages. 🙂 Different researchers have seen the same stages but named them differently. The important thing is to know what’s happening in the different phases/stages and be familiar with different names for them.