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How to Use Mnemonics: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Spelling in Your Classroom

Updated: Jul 7, 2023


A visual representation of mnemonic spelling tricks. A useful way to spell words

Everything you need to start using Mnemonics effectively in your classroom!


Remember those handy spelling tricks from elementary school that helped us spell challenging words like 'because' or 'together'? Such methods, known as mnemonics, are making a comeback, proving extremely beneficial in primary grades.


During an interactive session with my 4th-grade students, we explored the strategies they use to remember spellings. The mnemonics they shared were a fascinating mix of learned and self-created ones. The session not only sparked their interest but also led to an enjoyable exercise of identifying more words and remembering them using mnemonics.


So, what are Mnemonics?

Mnemonics are tools that help students master information and take control of their learning process. The technique involves organizing the information to be learned and associating it with something familiar. Not only do mnemonics aid in the retention of large volumes of information, but the technique itself also teaches students how to be active learners. This skill becomes invaluable as students progress through their educational journey and gradually take on the responsibility of studying and remembering information.

Mnemonic Spelling Trick Posters - A spelling resource from Sherbert Learning

How can you leverage this in your classroom?

I encouraged my students to collect known mnemonics, while I introduced new ones periodically. We noted these tricks in their word study books and created a visual display in the classroom for easy reference.


Another fun exercise involved students creating their own mnemonics to remember common homophones, which was challenging initially. However, they soon began associating meaningful pairs to differentiate the meanings and spellings of homophones.

For example, they came up with…

There – it has ‘here’ in it because it is a location word

Their self-developed mnemonics have proven incredibly useful, helping many students remember commonly misspelled homophones.


Integrating mnemonics into your teaching strategy can significantly enhance spelling proficiency and the learning of new information. It's a great way to reconnect with traditional spelling strategies that we all remember and love!


For those seeking additional resources to support a mnemonics-based program, we have collected a series of mnemonics posters that can serve as a handy classroom display.

Experience the benefits of mnemonics by exploring our SPELLING TRICKS AND MNEMONICS POSTER HERE!



Mnemonic Spelling Trick Posters - A spelling resource from Sherbert Learning



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