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Study
Notes
The
Understanding Before Memorization Approach (UBMA)
Unlike
most children, adults are rarely able to memorize the
spelling of words without first understanding why words
are spelled the way that they are.
There
are three effective practices, which permit the spelling
of words among adults, logic, repetition and reading
aloud. (logic+reading aloud+repetition
= memorization).
This
program provides explanations and justifications as
to why words are spelled the way that they are.
Practice is simplified by listing groups of words of
a similar spelling pattern, and using these words in
simple sentences and again in stories. Reading aloud
is all learners are asked to do to enable them to memorize
the spelling of words.
There
are, of course, differences in the way in which individuals
memorize a piece of information. We each have our individual
memorization style. Most children are able to memorize
the without having to know what they are memorizing.
Some of us, especially as adults, are able to memorize
only after understanding the subject, which we are about
to memorize. The latter situation I call the Understanding
Before Memorization Approach (UBMA).
This
program is especially useful for those who learn best
using the UBMA. For all learners, however, constant
practice is required to master the art of spelling.
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The
Reading Aloud Approach (RAA)
Lately,
most educators have been concentrating on the importance
of the differences in people's learning styles. They
agree that there are differences in the ways in which
people learn, and that we each have an individual learning
style.
They
have applied their findings to the role of the senses.
Some of us learn best by seeing (the visual mode), some
by listening (the auditory mode), and all of us learn
through the senses of touch or by performing an action
(the tactile-kinesthetic mode).
In the practice of teaching phonics to adults, educators
often overlook the importance of the auditory mode.
The
acts of reading aloud and spelling aloud encompass three
learning modes at one time. Reading aloud means that
the mouth feels the words, the eyes see the words, and
the ears hear the words, all at the same time.
The
learner will best absorb the spelling of words when
the brain receives information from all of the three
sensory channels at the same time. Learning in this
manner is obviously much more efficient and much more
effective. The reading aloud approach is a breakthrough
that enables learners to read, spell, and write with
the least wasted effort.
The
Reading Aloud Approach (RAA), which we advocate, is
a method that can be adapted to all learning styles.
Following this approach, and with sufficient practice,
learners of various levels and backgrounds can naturally
acquire the ability to spell without any forced memorization.
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There
Are Many Reasons for and Many Ways of Reading
Reading
for spelling purposes differs from reading for comprehension.
Typically, when people read, they focus on the sentences
and not on the words. However, for our spelling purposes
we must focus on the words, and not on the sentences.
For spelling purposes, read slowly to see how words
are spelled. Focus on the sounds and the spelling pattern
of words and letters. It's okay to read slowly because
this just the way English is.
How
do we read and how do we study?
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Do
try to use all use three of your senses to better
your memory of spelling the words. See the word,
say it aloud, and touch in your mouth as you utter
it and with your hands as you write it.
-
See
the phonic in a word, like the ai in rain.
-
Focus
your eyes on the vowels, not on the consonants.
-
Hear
the word by uttering it as loud as possible.
-
Feel
the word with your two fingers by writing it down.
-
Feel
the word in your mouth when uttering it aloud.
-
Don't
force memorization, you will learn to spell naturally
through the practices of reading aloud, repetition,
and through using the UBMA.
-
Slow
down and look at words when reading them.
-
Spell
the word syllable by syllable, and not letter by
letter.
-
Look
at the word and spell it aloud several times. Don't
look away from a word when spelling it until you're
sure that you can spell it correctly.
-
Never
guess the spelling of an English word. Learning
the wrong spelling can be very difficult to erase
from your memory.
-
Eventually,
you will develop a critical mind toward how words
are spelled. In your mind, you will be able to associate
any new words with a specific learned pattern, and
you will be able to memorize new words as soon as
you see them.
-
If
you are learning in a classroom setting, have the
entire class read aloud at the same time. Chanting
each phonic in a group produces more energy and
more sound to be sent to the memory portion in the
brain.
-
If
you find yourself reading too fast because you are
enjoying what you're reading, then read the same
piece twice; the first time for enjoyment and the
second time to focus on the phonics in the words.
-
In
the future, you will be able to read as fast as
you please.
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