How important are the spelling rules?
This method teaches 29 spelling rules in the phonogram dialogues and with the spelling words. The spelling rules are not taught in isolation. The spelling words are referenced to the spelling rules and the students Worksheets and are coordinated through the “Sequence” and presented with the Lesson Plans.The knowledge of spelling rules is a real short cut to spelling accuracy. Learning one rule for many words is much easier than memorizing each word individually as is taught in whole language. The sound/symbol relationship and spelling rules that should be taught with phonograms and spelling words are highly relevant because those that do not know them cannot learn to spell except by whole-word memorization. About 10% of students have enough photographic memory to do quite well. Around 30% lack this visual ability and another 50% cannot perform this task well. The failure to teach English as a sound/symbol/rules system causes sustained frustration, slow thought, low self-esteem and fail
