Below are listed the spelling rules on which you will be tested each Tuesday. Also listed are five of the ten words which will be on the test. The other five words will be words which fit the rule, but you will not be given them ahead of time. You will need to learn and understand the spelling rule so you can apply it during the test. There will also be a bonus question or two each week for extra credit. These could be review words from previous weeks, the definition of a particular spelling word, something we studied in GOTCHA, etc. Once again, you will not know this ahead of time, but good study habits like really learning your words each week and looking up words which are new to you will be rewarded (smile). If you don't understand a rule or ever need help, be sure to ASK! This site has some hints for studying spelling: Spelling Resources and this one is interactive:Commonly Misspelled Words. If you would like to hear the words pronounced (and find out what else we're doing in class this week, call the home-phone 24-hour recording at 955-6942, teacher number 5202 (area code 352).
Week One: When using the prefixes all-, ex-, quasi-, or self-, one usually adds a hyphen.
Week Two: The letter k is usually added to words ending in c before a suffix that begins with e, i, or y when the c has the hard sound (like a k).
Week Three: The suffixes -ally and -ly turn words into adverbs. The suffix -ally is added to words ending in -ic. The suffix -ly is added to adjectives not ending in ic.
Week Four: Some expressions may be written either as one word or two, depending on meaning. The words all right (not alright) and a lot (not alot) are always written as two words. (note: look up these words and make sure you understand their meanings)
Week Five: Regular plurals use an added s in most cases. When a word ends in -ch, -s, -sh, -x, or -z, pronunciation demands that -es be added.
Week Six: Plurals of compound words use an -s or -es at the end of the whole compound word. When, however, the MAJOR word in the compound is the first word, add the -s or -es to the first word.
Week Seven: (May 11) Nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant often add -es to form the plural. The major exception to the rule is musical terms.
Week Eight: Certain nouns of foreign origin retain the plural of the language from which they were borrowed.
Week Nine: (TBA) Surprise! This will be a 100 word test, with words coming from all rules studied this year. This will be your final exam in this class so the date will vary according to the exam schedule. Remember, if you want to hear these words pronounced and/or want to hear what the weekly assignments are, call the Home-Phone recording: 955-6942 (teacher number 5202). Also, remember to study and learn the rule as well as the five words.