Spelling Word Definitions by Grade

Short words spelled the way they sound, plus the first consonant blends and digraphs.

Two- and three-syllable words, where the ending is harder than the beginning.

Double consonants in the middle of a word, and the first words that break the rules.

The ie/ei words, and endings you cannot hear well enough to spell from sound alone.

The −tion and −sion endings, and words whose spelling makes sense only from their origin.

Greek and Latin roots you can take apart, alongside French loan words you cannot.

Academic vocabulary from Latin, and French words that kept their original spelling.

Competition-level roots and the academic vocabulary of secondary school.

Literary and entrance-exam vocabulary, mostly Greek roots and French borrowings.