How Putting Spelling Words in Alphabetical Order Helps Build Strong Spelling Skills2023-10-10T14:22:19-05:00

Posted by: Alesia Netuk

Updated: October 10th, 2023

How Putting Spelling Words in Alphabetical Order Helps Build Strong Spelling Skills

How Putting Spelling Words in Alphabetical Order Helps Build Strong Spelling Skills

Putting words in alphabetical order is an important skill to master. It helps kids develop organizational skills and improve word study, manipulation, spelling,  and memory. There are so many ways we use alphabetical order throughout the day without realizing we are using ABC order. 

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How does teaching kids to alphabetize benefit them?

A few reasons why kids need to learn how to alphabetize:

  • Finding books in the library;
  • Locating songs in a playlist;
  • Looking up definitions in the dictionary;
  • Locating contact on the phone.

How do you put spelling words in alphabetical order?

To put words in alphabetical order, kids highlight letters, compare them, determine which letter comes first, and sort words accordingly. When sorting words in ABC order, we look at the word’s first letter.

Alphabetical order example: the word b-ag comes before the word d-ad because b comes before d in the alphabet.

When should kids learn alphabetical order?

Before organizing words in ABC order, ensure kids master how to put letters in order. If kids struggle to put letters in order, print the alphabet flashcards that contain every letter of the alphabet. Ask kids to put flashcards in order.

Once kids master the letter, start alphabetizing the first letter. Put a few words on a paper, highlight the first letter, and then compare words and sort accordingly. Having the alphabet chart available is very useful in case of kids forget the order and can refer to the chart anytime.

The last step is learning how to alphabetize words to the second and third letters. Kids will practice words that begin with the same letter (or two letters), highlight the second or third letter letters to determine which letters come first, and organize words.

When kids put words in alphabetical order, they’re paying attention to the correct spellings of words and getting practice in writing those words, too.

spelling words in abc order

Explicit instructiuons when teaching arranging words in alphabetical order

Example 1 – how to alphabetize words to the first letter.

Today you are going to learn how to sort words in alphabetical order. Write words dog, cat, and pig on the board. Let’s say each word. Point to the word dog (dog). Point to the word cat (cat). Point to the word pig (pig).

Now let’s circle and compare the first letters in each word. What is the first letter in the word dog? (d) (circle the letter d). What is the first letter in the word cat? (c) (circle the letter c) What is the first letter in the word pig? (p) (circle the letter p). Now, compare the letters and organize them alphabetically. (c, d, p) (write letters in order on the board)

Now, let’s write words in the same order. What word do we need to write first? (cat) (write cat on the board) What would be the second word? (dog) (write dog on the board) What would be the last word in this list? (pig) (write pig on the board)

Now your words are sorted alphabetically.

Example 2 – how to alphabetize words to the second letter.

Today you are going to learn how to put words that start with the same letter in ABC order. Write words bin, bag, and bed on the board. Let’s say each word. Point to the word bin (bin). Point to the word bag (bag). Point to the word bed (bed). Notice how each word starts with the same letter (point to the letter b in each word) What is this letter? (b)

To put words in ABC order, we need to compare second letters in each word. Let’s circle and compare the second letters in each word. What is the second letter in the word bin? (i) (circle the letter i). What is the second letter in the word bag? (a) (circle the letter a) What is the second letter in the word bed? (e) (circle the letter e). Now, compare the letters and organize them alphabetically (a, e, i) (write letters in order on the board)

Now, let’s write words in the same order. What word do we need to write first? (bag) (write bag on the board) What would be the second word? (bed) (write bed on the board) What would be the last word on this list? (bin) (write bin on the board)

Now your words are sorted alphabetically.

Phonics ABC Order Worksheets (short and long vowels):

List of words ideas to practice alphabetical order:

Seasonal words (for example, fall words, winter words, or Christmas words);
Sight words;
Word family words.

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