Learning how to spell words that don’t follow the rules can be … well boring. And we can’t have that!
In All About Spelling, we’ve labeled unruly words like said, who, and been as “Rule Breakers,” and we’ve created several motivating ways to make learning to spell these words a bit easier … and a lot more fun!
When your student encounters a Rule Breaker in All About Spelling (or the real world!), just reach for one of these activities and let the fun begin!
When you encounter a word that breaks the rules, this adorable puppy is ready to help you deal with the misbehaving word! Download our Feed the Puppy activity.
A short time out just might help control those Rule Breakers. Download our Jail for Rule Breakers activity.
Have an older student? Older kids like these treatments of unruly words just as much as younger ones do, so pick your favorite and see how those tricky words stick in their minds!
Look at the Word Card and then look at an empty spot on the table.
Picture the word on the table and spell the word aloud three times.
Using a finger, “write” the word on the table three times in VERY BIG LETTERS.
Spell the word on paper three times.
In the space of a minute or two, your student will have practiced the word nine times.
In this exercise, your student “writes” the Rule Breaker on a tactile surface, using his pointer finger instead of a pencil. Some surfaces to consider include:
Sand in a shoe box lid
“Feely” fabrics such as burlap, velvet, or corduroy
Plush carpet square
We treat Rule Breakers differently from other words to help kids learn them soon after they are introduced. Two effective ways to burn something into memory are frequency (repeated review) and intensity (different and surprising treatment), so keep these ideas in mind as you handle the Rule Breakers. Doing whatever it takes to enable your student to spell these words correctly right from the start will prevent problems later.
Thankfully, the vast majority of spelling words do follow consistent patterns. And when kids first start out, we are careful to work only with words that follow the rules. This helps kids internalize the fact that there are reliable rules and that they can make sense of spelling. They discover that they don’t need to resort to guessing or memorizing strings of letters.
So before introducing the first Rule Breakers, make sure your student can spell hundreds of “law-abiding” words. Then—and only then—begin teaching the unruly ones.
Which spelling words cause your student the most difficulty? Let me know in the comments, and then download my free e-book called “Six Ways We Make Spelling Easy” below!
Tonya Baker
says:I have used several of the free games and learning tools and enjoy them
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Tonya! It’s great to hear that you are enjoying the free resources we offer.
L
says:I love the inclusion of different sensory modalities for this. A definite must try for my (suspected) dyslexic child <3
Robin
says: Customer ServiceOh, yes! Multisensory activities are so important for all learners!
Kristen Whitson
says:Can’t wait to get started using these products!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Kristen!
Laura
says:Love these activities!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Laura.
Joanna
says:I love the hands on activities!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThanks, Joanna!
Jen
says:This is really helpful, thank you!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Jen!
Michelle
says:My daughter loves animals, so the Feed the Puppy activity is right up her alley!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceMichelle,
The Feed the Puppy activity is such a hit with so many children!
Chelsea Beck
says:We love this curriculum!
Christina
says:Love it!
Penny
says:We love all about spelling. I love the way it reinforces what is taught is All About Reading for each level.
Joanna
says:I appreciate the help in teaching Rule Breakers… it is one of the more frustrating things to teach the kids. My kids really enjoy All About Spelling.
Kimberly
says:I have used All about reading and we loved it! I am not looking into purchasing All about Spelling for my son who is high functioning autistic. We are looking forward to trying All about Spelling as I have read many great reviews.
Jenny
says:Rule Breakers sound enticing… we’re completely new and haven’t started any products yet but our homeschool teacher is recommending these products for my child (age 5) to learn reading.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceJenny,
Let me know if you have questions, need help with placement, or anything else. I’m happy to help!
Amber
says:Love it!
Amber G
says:We haven’t gotten to any rule breakers yet, but I already know it will be a fun time with AAS. My DD loves all the activities.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Amber! Great to hear your daughter enjoys the activities.
Kristin
says:Are these activities referenced or included in the lessons that teach rule breakers in the TM? Or do I need to remember these strategies?
Robin
says: Customer ServiceGreat question, Kirstin!
These activities for rule-breakers are in addition to what is scheduled when a rule-breaker is taught in All About Spelling. In the Teacher’s Manual, you will be directed go over the rule-breaker with your student, having him or her write it in their notebook, circle the letter or letters that don’t make the sound we expect them to make, and then practice the rule-breaker several times.
The Teacher’s Manuals in Level 2 and above also include an appendix about rule-breakers that has many of the same activities as in this blog post, and it directs you to this blog post for more ideas. (This appendix is not in Level 1 as no rule-breakers are taught in that level.)
So, it will be helpful to keep these strategies in mind if your find the more straightforward approach to rule-breakers that the lessons take is not enough for your student to master these words. However, some activity with each rule-breaker is scheduled for you so you will have at least a good start.
Does this clear things up?
Andrea
says:My kids have always loved throwing the rule breakers in jail! The puppy rule breaker activity looks fun also!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceAndrea,
My kids enjoyed the jail as well, but I know a couple of them would have like feeding rule breakers to the dog even more!
Alēka Kahealani
says:My kids will love the dog rule breaker activity, thank you!!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you for letting us know your kids enjoy the dog activity, Alēka!
Lynda
says:Great tips!
Miriam
says:Love the resources! My kid loves hands on learning!
julia
says:Both of these games are great! I have one kid who loves to feed the dog and another who loves to put words in jail. Great idea for older kids too! Thank you for the information!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Julia!
Maritza Lopez
says:Love the activities!
Brittany
says:Love the resources in this blog! Thank you!
Monik Folkman
says:Thankful for the tips!
Alexandra Entner
says:Fantastic ideas, thanks!
Linda Torres
says:Such great ideas! I will be incorporating and trying them out with my kiddos.
Beth
says:Good ideas to keep kids engaged but working proactively on spelling these correctly. Thank you for these tips.
Rebecca Bechler
says:Love this and looking forward to trying out with my daughter!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Rebecca!
Jen
says:Love that these games are easy to do with things at home and minimal prep
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThanks, Jen! We understand how busy homeschool parents, tutors, and classroom teachers are!
Susanna S.
says:This is excellent. I was just talking with my 8 year old a few days ago about words that don’t follow the rules. I’ll have to try some of these activities.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Susanna! I hope these are helpful for your student.