Ways to Make it Engaging (and Canadian!)

Spelling is a foundational skill in language learning, but when you’re homeschooling in Canada, it comes with its own set of unique challenges. With Canadian spelling combining British, French, and American influences, it can be tricky to know exactly which rules to teach and how to help your child master the correct spellings. In this post about homeschool spelling, we’ll explore the differences in Canadian spelling, share strategies for teaching spelling in a way that aligns with your child’s learning style, and provide fun, hands-on activities to reinforce their skills. Plus, don’t miss out on our Canadian Spelling Pack Printable, designed specifically to help you navigate the complexities of Canadian English with ease and our weekly spelling activities printable below!

Why Focus on Canadian Spelling?

While American spelling dominates much of what we see in the digital world, Canadian English holds onto key aspects of British spelling, which can make it tricky for kids. Understanding and teaching these subtle differences is important for helping your child navigate the complexities of language in Canada and beyond.

What Makes Canadian Spelling Unique?

Canadian spelling includes elements from both British and American traditions, creating a hybrid that can sometimes be confusing. Some of the most notable differences include:

• Adding a “u” in words like colour, favour, and neighbour, following the British style.
• Using “re” endings in words like centre and theatre instead of the American center and theater.
• Using “ce” endings in words like defence and licence, similar to British English, while American spelling prefers defense and license.
• Double “l” in verb forms like travelling and cancelling, unlike the American versions traveling and canceling.

Why Teach Canadian Spelling?

Teaching your child Canadian spelling helps them not only feel confident in their writing but also prepares them to understand and adapt to the various versions of English they’ll encounter. From formal academic writing to everyday reading, strong spelling skills help set the foundation for clear communication.

Do you have to teach Canadian Spelling?

No, absolutely not. In this world where we are all connected by the internet, American spelling is well known and understood by everyone, you can easily just use American spelling with your children.

Introducing the Canadian Spelling Pack

The Canadian Spelling Pack is designed to help homeschoolers and educators teach the unique aspects of Canadian spelling. This pack provides practical tools to clarify the differences between Canadian and American English spellings, making it easier for students to understand and use the correct versions.

Here’s what the pack includes:

• Comparison Chart: A clear side-by-side list of Canadian and American spellings for commonly used words (e.g., colour vs. color, centre vs. center). This helps students quickly identify the differences in spelling conventions.
• Flashcards: Printable flashcards that can be used for spelling drills or as a quick-reference tool to reinforce learning.
• Worksheets: Engaging exercises designed to strengthen understanding of Canadian spelling. Activities include:
  • Writing the Canadian spelling version of given American words.
  • Filling in missing letters to complete Canadian spellings.
  • Sentence completion activities using words from the spelling list.

This pack is a helpful resource for integrating Canadian spelling conventions into homeschool lessons in a hands-on, engaging way. It covers a wide range of words and offers practical exercises to ensure students become familiar with the distinct rules of Canadian English.

Homeschool Spelling Advice: How to Teach Spelling Effectively

Teaching spelling at home doesn’t have to be a stressful or overwhelming task. By focusing on your child’s unique learning style and keeping lessons fun and engaging, you can help them develop strong spelling skills that will last a lifetime. Here are some practical tips to guide you through the process:

1. Understand Your Child’s Learning Style

Every child learns differently, and knowing your child’s preferred learning style can make a big difference in how they absorb spelling lessons. For example:

• Visual learners benefit from seeing words written down, flashcards, or colorful spelling charts.
• Auditory learners may excel by hearing words spoken aloud, using apps with audio support, or spelling out loud during lessons.
• Kinesthetic learners respond well to hands-on activities, such as writing words in the air, using letter tiles, or tracing words with their finger.

Tailoring your approach to their learning style can increase their interest and retention when it comes to spelling.

It’s also important to include a variety of different approaches because we learn best with all our senses and skills are used and stretched.

2. Supporting Children with Learning Challenges

Children with learning differences, such as dyslexia, may need extra support when it comes to spelling, but with the right approach, they can still succeed. Here are some strategies that can help:

• Multisensory Techniques: Incorporating multiple senses into spelling lessons can help children with dyslexia better understand and remember words. Try activities that engage sight, sound, and touch—like having your child trace words in sand, spell them aloud while writing, or use clay to form letters.
• Chunking and Breaking Words Down: Children with dyslexia often struggle to see the whole word at once. Teach them to break words into smaller, more manageable parts (e.g., syllables or phonetic chunks). This approach can reduce overwhelm and make spelling easier to digest.
• Use of Technology: Leveraging tools such as speech-to-text apps or dyslexia-friendly fonts can support their learning. There are also specialized spelling programs and apps designed for children with dyslexia that use systematic, phonics-based approaches to spelling.
• Patience and Positive Reinforcement: Learning to spell may take longer for children with learning challenges, so it’s crucial to offer plenty of encouragement and celebrate small victories along the way. Focus on progress rather than perfection.
• Use Specially Designed Programs: Search for spelling curriculum that uses tested and dyslexia-friendly methods such as the Orton-Gillingham approach – which focuses on a deeper understanding of letter sounds and how they work together to make words.

3. Mix it Up with Activities and Games

Spelling can sometimes feel monotonous, so it’s essential to incorporate variety into your lessons. Along with traditional worksheets, try engaging activities that allow your child to interact with words in a new way:

• Spelling races or word scavenger hunts where your child searches for words around the house or in books.
• Get tactile with letter manipulation games like forming words with magnetic letters or playdough, or printing with their finger in a cookie sheet full of salt.
• Apps and online games designed for spelling practice that make learning feel more like playtime – such as Reading Eggs, Teach Your Mon
• Include movement like jumping on a trampoline or using their bodies to make letter shapes in some way.

4. Keep It Consistent, But Flexible

A consistent routine is key to building strong spelling skills, but it’s also important to be flexible and adapt lessons to your child’s needs. Try setting aside dedicated time each week for spelling practice, but don’t be afraid to adjust the schedule if your child is struggling or seems bored. Spelling doesn’t have to happen at the same time every day, nor does it have to look the same each week.

5. Encourage Creative Application

One of the best ways to help children remember spelling rules is to let them apply what they’ve learned in creative ways. Encourage them to use new spelling words in stories, letters, or even in artwork. This helps reinforce the words in a context that’s meaningful and enjoyable for them.

To make spelling more fun, use our Weekly Spelling Activities Printable. It includes a variety of hands-on games and ideas that allow your child to practice spelling without feeling like they’re doing traditional schoolwork. These activities will keep them engaged while reinforcing important spelling rules.

DOWNLOAD THIS FREE SPELLING ACTIVITIES PRINTABLE.

Use Spelling Tools & Opportunities

To give your kids the best success with spelling, offering them tools to help with spelling all the time is a great skill.

• Teach your child how to use a dictionary. Admittedly, these are somewhat outdated, but they can still be a helpful resource! Plus, visually understanding how to find words in alphabetical order is a terrific skill all on its own.
• Be the dictionary. Over the years, I’ve heard “Mom, how do you spell….” a billion times. It’s okay to be their reference point because they genuinely want to understand how to make their writing or typing more accurate – or at least more legible.
• Use Alexa or Google. I found my daughter asking our google mini how to spell things in the middle of playing Minecraft the other day. I thought it was a brilliant way to get help with spelling words!
• Play more games and type more. I’ve found over the years that when my kids are playing video games, especially ones where they need to type in order to communicate, their spelling skills improve drastically. This can be true if your child using messaging programs to communicate with friends or family. The more they write, the better they get at spelling – typically.
• Spell-Check. This is a handy tool built right into word processing programs like Word or Google Docs. I like it for my kids because it brings awareness of mistakes and how to fix them.

Popular Homeschool Spelling Programs

As with all homeschooling subjects, there are many options available to choose from for a spelling curriculum, including several well-established programs that provide structured lessons, practice, and strategies for success. These programs are designed to make spelling instruction easier for parents while giving kids a solid foundation in spelling rules and patterns.

Lots of language arts programs integrate spelling in with writing and reading, if you don’t want to or feel like you need something separate.

Keep in mind that most homeschool spelling programs are written from an American perspective, meaning that if you want to include Canadian spellings, you will need to make some adaptations.

Below are some of the most popular spelling programs used by homeschoolers, some of which you can purchase here in Canada from stores such as Learning House, Classical Education Books, and CHER.

1. All About Spelling

• What It Offers: All About Spelling is a comprehensive, multisensory program that teaches spelling through a step-by-step, phonics-based approach. It uses letter tiles, flashcards, and dictation exercises to reinforce spelling patterns.
• Why It’s Popular: Known for its systematic, hands-on methods, this program is especially effective for struggling spellers and children with dyslexia. It builds a strong foundation in phonetics and word patterns.
• Best For: Parents looking for a flexible, multisensory approach to teaching spelling.
• Website: All About Spelling

2. Spelling Power

• What It Offers: Spelling Power is a one-book, comprehensive spelling program that can be used for all ages. It teaches spelling rules and strategies through short, daily lessons. The program uses a mastery-based approach, allowing students to progress at their own pace.
• Why It’s Popular: This program is designed to be efficient, with lessons that take only 15 minutes a day. It also focuses on individualized spelling lists, ensuring kids are working on words they struggle with rather than generic lists.
• Best For: Families looking for a long-term, mastery-based spelling solution.
• Website: Spelling Power

3. Sequential Spelling

• What It Offers: Sequential Spelling takes a unique approach by teaching spelling patterns in sequence, which helps children see how words build on one another. It focuses on word families, gradually introducing more complex words based on familiar patterns.
• Why It’s Popular: The program’s logical structure makes it great for kids who struggle with spelling. It’s particularly effective for children with dyslexia and uses daily tests to build confidence in spelling skills.
• Best For: Children who need a sequential, pattern-based approach to learning spelling.
• Website: Sequential Spelling

4. Logic of English

• What It Offers: Logic of English is a phonics-based program that integrates spelling with reading and handwriting instruction. It teaches the logic behind English spelling rules, helping students understand why words are spelled the way they are.
• Why It’s Popular: This program is a favorite among homeschoolers because of its focus on both phonics and spelling rules, making it ideal for kids who need to understand the “why” behind spelling patterns.
• Best For: Parents who want a thorough, rules-based approach to spelling that integrates with reading instruction.
• Website: Logic of English

5. The Good and the Beautiful

• What It Offers: This faith-based curriculum offers a gentle, integrated approach to language arts that includes spelling instruction. The Good and the Beautiful provides open-and-go lessons that combine spelling, reading, writing, and grammar into a cohesive program.
• Why It’s Popular: The program’s beauty lies in its simplicity and integration with other subjects, making it a popular choice for parents who want a comprehensive language arts program without needing multiple resources.
• Best For: Families looking for an all-in-one language arts program with a faith-based component.
• Website: The Good and the Beautiful

6. Spelling You See

• What It Offers: Spelling You See takes a unique, developmental approach to teaching spelling by focusing on how children naturally learn language through reading and writing. It doesn’t rely on traditional spelling lists or rote memorization but instead uses engaging activities like copywork, dictation, and chunking to teach spelling patterns in context. Each level is designed for a specific developmental stage, guiding children as they progress in their language and spelling abilities.
• Why It’s Popular: The program’s focus on natural language learning sets it apart from traditional spelling programs. Its relaxed, hands-on approach is ideal for children who may struggle with conventional spelling methods. It also avoids spelling tests, which can reduce stress for children who find spelling challenging.
• Best For: Parents who prefer a non-traditional, context-based approach to spelling, and children who benefit from reading and writing within real-world contexts rather than isolated word lists.
• Website: Spelling You See (you can buy it in Canada here.)

Homeschool Spelling Ideas From Other Homeschooling Parents

This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated in 2024. It featured a set of blog posts from the Canadian Homeschool Blogging Team all about spelling in their homeschools, which you can see below.

Jen – Reasons Why I Think Kids Should Learn To Spell

There are many life skills that are no longer required in public school as I learned that day in talking with her. Some of these are also not required in homeschool. They are required in MY school. One of these is spelling.

Alison – Spelling: Ditching What Doesn’t Work and Finding What Does

I must say that I was totally wrong in believing that a child who reads well, loves books and is exposed to quality literature will automatically spell well. When we began spelling in first grade with my oldest, it took me a little while to figure out that what we were doing wasn’t working for my daughter. Did she protest when I brought out her spelling book? No. Did she drag her heels and take forever to complete her work? No. Was she enjoying her lessons? Yes, she was. So what could possibly be the problem? While I want my children to enjoy their learning, a smiling face isn’t always the best indication of a successful learning experience. You see, learning has to actually happen!

Bonnie – Tips for Teaching Spelling in Your Homeschool

I’ll readily admit I’m one of those word-geek types who loves spelling and anything related. This is a topic that has always come easily to me, but also one I think is very important. Spelling—and writing—is important for clear communication. It’s an academic skill that crosses over into a life skill for our children. Here are some ways that I help my girls with their spelling.

Lisa Marie Fletcher is a mom of 5 with 15+ years of homeschooling experience. She started The Canadian Homeschooler in 2010 as a way to support the homeschooling community in Canada.

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