A friend from Singapore asked this question recently:

I have a 6y+ son who just started public school in Singapore. He can read pretty well but he can't spell. He has simple spelling list from school which he has problems learning. Do you have any advice?

Many children need hands-on or movement-based lessons when they seem to be struggling with the typical methods.  I'll give a few suggestions, but I'm sure there are more professional resources out there on this topic!  :)  Best of luck!  Keep me posted on his progress, if you don't mind.

My (humble) ideas:

-Write the words in shaving cream.

-Lay white paper over sandpaper and have your child write the words using a crayon.  It will create a tactile sensation that makes connections with hands-on kids.

-Mom writes the words in large print on a piece of paper.  Lay a plastic canvas screen (from the craft section) over top and let the child trace the words with their finger.

-Write the words on the sidewalk using a spray bottle.

-Write the words in a very shallow sand or rice box. 

-Play a ball toss game where you and your son say the next letter of the word as the ball is tossed to you.

-Use magnetic letters to spell the words.

-Play a magnetic letter relay where he has to run to get the first letter of the word and bring it back before running to get the second letter and so on.  He may look at the word each time before he runs.  This will help him with the memory of what comes next as he's running.

-Lay random paper letters on the floor and have him jump from one letter to another to spell out the word.

-Some children enjoy spelling to a particular rhythm or tune or even clapping out the letters.

-Let him quiz you.

-I would also really stress sounding out each letter at a time as he tries to write the words, helping him hear every sound if he struggles with this.

-Of course, never give up talking about phonics rules as they present themselves.

Mahayla pretty much learned to read without my help.  By 1st grade, she was reading chapter books.  So I didn't feel the need to back up and teach phonics rules when she was intrisically figuring it all out.  We did use Spelling Workout for two and a half years which taught many spelling rules, but she hated the repitition of the same words day after day.  By Friday, test day, she would easily make 100%, but wasn't always transferring the spelling rules into other words. 

Fast forward to this year.  There are a few spelling mistakes that I have watched her make over and over again - even after talking about them.  So, I decided daily spelling instruction needed to be put back on the curriculum schedule.  I wanted to do something that really taught the rules this time.  Something that would help her to use the rule to spell any word - not just the 20 or 30 for a test. 

I decided to use Spelling Works from Scholastic.  The lessons cover spelling rules using all kinds of words - there is no word list.  Each day, Mahayla completes a lesson where she has to use the rule in a variety of ways.  By Friday, test day, I give her 20 or 30 words that follow the rule.  She may or may not have seen the words through the week, but if she learned the rule she should still be able to make 100%.   

I'm after an understanding of spelling rather than memorizing a set list.  I've already seen a big improvement in everyday spelling on the words that follow the rules we've covered so far.  That puts a big smile on my face and has given her more confidence in her writing!