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Perhaps you’ve heard of using copywork to teach spelling. Maybe you’ve even assigned some copywork to your children. Still, you may be wondering about the benefits of this popular homeschool discipline. Does it really work?
What is copywork?
Copywork is exactly what the name implies—an exercise of copying words from a written example or model. Younger children may begin with the letters of the alphabet, and then gradually move on to copying words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, and even entire pages. Copywork samples are often taken from scripture, poetry, historical documents, speeches, and other writings of historical or moral value.
What is the goal of copywork?
The primary goal of copywork is for a child to internalize the mechanisms of good writing—penmanship, spelling, grammar, and style—by copying a perfectly composed sample.
The premise of copywork is that by replicating good writing a child will adopt the language skills found in the sample. In addition to helping develop moral character, copywork is designed to help students internalize good writing habits through practice and repetition. In theory, the more they transcribe, the more proficient they become in the English language.
Is copywork effective in teaching spelling?
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