Whether studying for the local or national spelling bee, online vocabulary builder and spelling games are an excellent way to practice. Students can enter their own spelling words lists and then choose “test me”, “teach me” or “play”. Many spelling resources are also available to spelling teachers who wish to prepare spelling quizzes.

In fact, teachers looking for spelling words by grade level can find spelling vocabulary specific to each level. For example, the primary grades learn to spell Dolch words (the 220 most common words in the English language, aka “sight words”), while kids in grades 3-5 are taught to spell science terms. At the middle school level, it becomes particularly important for kids to spell FCAT math vocabulary words correctly just as high school students must practice to spell SAT math terms.

ESL students also greatly benefit from learning proper spelling as spoken English is quite different from written English. That said, whatever the level, the importance of spelling in today’s highly technical world is clear.