I've written before about the incredible progress and language foundation that is occuring in my son through using the Spell to Write and Read program by Wanda Sanseri. 

One of the principles employed by this incredible phonics, learn-to-read and spell program is that we not allow our children to miss-spell a word at anytime--even during spelling tests.

My first thoughts upon reading about this particular part of the method was "their nuts!"  Kids are going to miss words on a spelling test, right?  How is this supposed to work?  The answers were simple to implement, but took a bit longer to grasp (for me), but the results are awesome!

Here's how it works:  After you initially introduce words, with the use of phonograms and spelling rules (with very few exceptions, which is great, and somewhat rare in most phonics programs), you have a series of opportunities for the child to practice the words before a week-end "test".  Practice may include such things as practice tests, grammar exercises where they are writing the words, sentence creation and/or dictation, and many more!  Whenever the child starts to write the word incorrectly, you cue them to the fact they are missing something, or not "thinking to spell".  Amazingly, because of the solid foundation of mastery of the phonograms, the child will be able to re-think their choice and correct their attempt. 

The point is that each time they write it wrong, it becomes right to them.  If they never write it wrong, only right, they become a fabulous speller!  And it works!

So, you're cues may be saying, "Stop and think to spell", or a simple clearing of the voice.  Whatever you and your child understand together!  When it comes to test time, you keep track of the missed (or "almost" missed words), and you can continue to work on those words as new words are added, until mastery is achieved. 

Recently, I was reading an article from Family Education (which is a public school based site) on what my 2nd grader would be doing in public school for language arts.  In tiny print I read, "The teacher continues to support invented or transitional spelling in order to encourage children to put their ideas on paper." (emphasis mine)   What that means to me is "we'll encourage your kids to do it wrong so they won't be out of place or feel bad and will want to write."  Interesting."

Spell to Write and Read has been a fabulous program for us.  If you wish to read about it further, check out this site with lots of info.