Conquering Spelling: Master Dependable Spelling Rules & Common Spelling Patterns

Do you struggle to make sense of spelling? Does it intimidate you or cause discouragement?  Join this weekly class with others who feel the same way, and we can not only commiserate together, but also start to see and understand spelling patterns and the reasons behind these spelling patterns.

Learning and mastering spelling rules makes spelling less intimidating and boosts your spelling confidence. This class will teach spelling rules and common spelling patterns in an upbeat, encouraging, and multi-sensory environment. Students will learn to spell words correctly by relying on dependable spelling rules and generalizations. This gives us more control over spelling words and takes the guesswork out of spelling. When we can explain why a word is spelled the way it is, it helps us remember it better and apply it later when writing! See below for the specific spelling rules & patterns being taught each week. 

Class will start with a spelling warm-up to strengthen the skills needed to become a confident speller, then a new spelling rule will be introduced. Short custom-made, engaging videos will be used to present each spelling rule, followed by practice applying the rule to spelling words, including verbal, written, and visual methods to ensure the learners remember the rule itself, dictation of words, phrases & sentences, oral spelling, and oral decoding. A supportive, positive, and engaging environment will be maintained throughout our class time, creating a safe space for all learners, especially those who need extra spelling support.

Visual and varying formats in the class will keep learners engaged while providing lots of practice time. This helps the new rules & patterns stick and become part of the learner’s spelling repertoire! 

A short homework assignment will be posted after each class to reinforce the spelling rules learned. Once the one-page homework is submitted, the teacher will respond with corrections, detailed feedback, encouragement, and added spelling tips when applicable, usually within 24 hours. 

If you are looking for more spelling practice outside of class time and the one posted homework assignment, you could purchase this workbook: How to Spell Workbook 3 by Laura Toby Rudginsky & Elizabeth C. Haskell. It can be found on amazon. There are extra lessons, but each lesson covered in class will have 1 or more follow-up pages in the workbook.

Please note that the words taught in class are about a 3rd – 5th-grade level. Some weeks will be more or less challenging depending on the spelling pattern taught and each learner’s experience with that spelling pattern. 

Weekly Lesson Topics for Winter-Spring 2025 sections:
Week of Jan. 20th: Floss Rule
Week of Jan. 27th: Sound Rule (whether to use ck/k, dge/g, ck/k)
Week of Feb. 3rd: Plurals Rule
Week of Feb. 10th: Doubling Rule
Week of Feb. 17th: Silent-e Rule
Week of Feb. 24th: Y Rule
Week of Mar. 3rd: Homonyms: To/Too/Two and Their/There/They’re
Week of Mar. 10th: - age ending
Week of Mar. 17th: -ain ending
Week of Mar. 24th: No Class
Week of Mar. 31st: Suffixes “ful” & “ly”
Week of Apr. 7th: y & ey at the end of a word
Week of Apr. 14th: When to use "ou or "ow"
Week of Apr. 21st: When to use "au or "aw"
Week of Apr. 28th: tion & sion
Week of May 5th: When to use "ous" or "us"


Weekly Lesson Topics for Summer 2025:
June 3rd – Floss Rule
June 10th - Sound Rule (whether to use ck/k, dge/g, ck/k)
June 17th – No Class 
June 24th - Plurals Rule
July 1st - Doubling Rule
July 8th - Silent-e Rule
July 15th - Y Rule
July 22nd – age ending
July 29th – ain ending
August 5th - Suffixes “ful” & “ly”
August 12th - y & ey at the end of a word


Fall sections will start the week of August 18th. 


**Ongoing Class Format Notice** After the initial subscription payment, you will be billed weekly for this class on Sunday mornings. If you plan to miss a class and do not want to be charged, you must pause or stop your subscription before Sunday. Note that your spot in the class is not held in this situation though. For full information about Ongoing classes, please see this link: https://support.outschool.com/en/articles/2272596-ongoing-classes-for-learners

See reviews from families whose learners have taken my multi-day spelling rules classes:

"My 12 year old was unsure about enrolling in a spelling class at her age, but found this class to be one of the most helpful and enjoyable ones she has taken on Outschool. She love Ms. Allison’s teaching style and found the lessons valuable in helping her see there is an easier way to go about spelling. We highly recommend." - KP

"Allison Woolley is great! She is calm, clear, and informative, reads the virtual room and adjusts expectations with each child, and gives helpful (and brief) homework assignments to help with retention. When my daughter struggled with one of the six rules, she gave us personalized advice on how to help her understand and retain it better. Even though spelling makes my daughter nervous, she looked forward to each class! We highly recommend Allison Woolley!!!" - CD

"My son took this class at the end of sixth grade. He has always struggled with spelling and this class gave him concrete tools to help him improve. He looked forward to each class and hopes to be able to take more classes with Ms. Allison in the future. As a parent I loved the homework and feedback from Ms. Allison. She shared a wealth of knowledge to help my son improve his spelling. I cannot recommend this class enough!" - MJ

"Very impressed with Ms. Allison and this course. She has a great and thorough structure. She gives incredible feedback for the homework assignments and manages to make it conversational instead of instructional. Was concerned my 12 year old was at the top of the age group and would feel out of place—no way—Ms. Allison meets her where she is and is truly fostering a confident speller." - MP