Yes, There ARE Patterns in English Spelling

Students and teachers alike often complain about the challenges of English spelling, given the myriad rules which seem to break other rules, which break other rules.  There does not seem to be much consistency between how words are pronounced and how they are spelled.  One sound can be spelled three, four or five different ways.  In this informative session, we will establish that there are actually patterns in English spelling, many of which are rooted in the history of the language.  We will then examine these patterns in detail as a foundation for helping to understand the rules of English spelling.  Finally, we will look at various teaching strategies and activities that you can use in order to effectively teach spelling to your students.