Why We Don’t Teach Spelling Lists—And What We Do Instead

Written By Kendall Stoner
Graphic titled “Why We Don’t Teach Spelling Lists—And What We Do Instead” with an open book, a red “X,” and a checklist labeled “Spelling.” A yellow banner reads “The EBLI Approach to Spelling That Actually Sticks.”

Graphic titled “Why We Don’t Teach Spelling Lists—And What We Do Instead” with an open book, a red “X,” and a checklist labeled “Spelling.” A yellow banner reads “The EBLI Approach to Spelling That Actually Sticks.”

The EBLI Approach to Spelling That Actually Sticks

The Spelling List Struggle Is Real

We’ve all been there: your child studies their weekly spelling list, passes the Friday test, and then… spells the same words wrong a week later or worse yet just minutes later when writing a story. It’s frustrating for everyone—and it’s not your child’s fault.

The problem is the method. Traditional spelling lists rely on memorization, which rarely leads to long-term retention or actual understanding.

At Growing Oaks, we use the EBLI method to teach spelling through phoneme-grapheme mapping and real language use—so students don’t just memorize words, they learn how spelling works.

Why Spelling Lists Don’t Work

Traditional spelling instruction often looks like this:

  • A list of 10–20 words assigned on Monday

  • A worksheet or two during the week

  • A test on Friday

  • The words promptly forgotten by Monday

This approach:

  • Emphasizes rote memorization, not understanding

  • Often ignores the sound structure of words

  • Doesn’t teach transferable skills to spell unfamiliar words

  • Fails to connect reading, writing, and spelling in a meaningful way

How EBLI Teaches Spelling Instead

EBLI (Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction) teaches spelling in the context of reading and writing using three essential elements:

  1. Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping
    Students learn to match each sound (phoneme) in a word with its spelling (grapheme)—even when there’s more than one way to spell a sound.

  2. Sound-Based Instruction
    Instead of memorizing word shapes or rules, students are taught to listen for individual sounds and determine their possible spellings.

  3. Integrated Practice
    Spelling, reading, and writing are taught together, not in isolation. This helps learners immediately apply what they’re learning and retain it longer.

What This Looks Like in a Lesson

Here’s a simplified example of how EBLI might teach the word station:

  • Say the word: station

  • Break it into sounds: /s/ /t/ /ā/ /sh/ /ŭ/ /n/

  • Match each sound to a spelling: s-t-a-ti-o-n

  • Discuss other words that use similar patterns (like nation or vacation)

  • Use the word in a sentence or short writing prompt

This helps the student understand why the word is spelled that way and how to use those patterns in future writing.

Why We Correct Spelling Immediately—And Kindly

In the EBLI approach, we don’t wait until later to correct spelling mistakes in student writing—we correct them in the moment, as the student is writing. This might sound intense at first, but it’s actually the most efficient and effective way to teach.

Here’s why immediate correction works:

  • It keeps errors from being stored and reinforced in the brain

  • It builds real-time awareness of how sounds and spellings work together

  • It turns writing into a learning opportunity—not just a testing ground

We do this with kindness and coaching, not criticism. The goal isn’t to point out everything wrong—it’s to help students build a strong, accurate foundation. With guided practice and gentle correction, they begin to self-correct and internalize accurate spelling.

📌 Tip: If you're helping at home, it's okay to pause your child and say, “Let’s look at the sounds in that word together,” instead of letting the error slide or correcting it later. It makes a huge difference.

The Result? Spelling That Transfers

Students taught this way can:

  • Spell words they’ve never seen before by using what they know about sounds

  • Break down unfamiliar words when reading

  • Gain confidence in writing because spelling feels predictable, not mysterious

And unlike traditional methods, they retain the skill over time—because they understand it.

Want Your Child to Actually Learn to Spell?

If your child is tired of memorizing spelling lists that don’t stick—or if you’re ready to try a smarter, science-based approach to literacy—Growing Oaks can help.

✅ EBLI-certified instruction for spelling, reading, and writing
✅ One-on-one support near Tyler, TX and online
✅ Works for all ages, including students with dyslexia

Let’s Build Real Spelling Skills—Not Just Memorization

Your child deserves spelling instruction that actually works.
👉 Schedule a free consultation at growingoaks.us/appointments

Sources:

Kendall Stoner
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The Difference Between Decoding and Comprehension—And Why Kids Need Both