Why is spelling taught before reading?
Phonics awareness and auditory processing skills can be more precisely and efficiently taught through spelling rather than randomly taught through “implicit” phonics applied to pronouncing words for reading. Phonics for reading alone gives only approximate pronunciations for many words.Early learning of correct spelling patterns (while avoiding programming or misinformation such as “invented” spellings), allows elementary students to write with increased precision and creativity. As a result, they can then read at their interest and speaking vocabulary levels, enjoying quality literature with its obvious benefits.The student’s first reading “in context” experience is to read the sentences she/he has written from the spelling words. Correct spellings of words are the same as standard “book print”. Accurate spelling guarantees fluent reading.In the spelling lessons the students obtain the basic knowledge of how the written language works. At the completion of the spelling list at the end
