On pages 11 and 12 is a remarkable list of words frequently misspelled.
They are given here by permission of the compiler, Dr. W. F. Jones of
the University of South Dakota. He has happily named them the “One
Hundred Spelling Demons of the English Language.” As the result of a most
exhaustive and careful investigation he finds them to be not only the
most commonly misspelled words, but frequently and persistently to be
misspelled in all grades.
These words have been taught and frequently reviewed. Call the children’s
attention over and over again to the difficulties in them. Use some of
them daily. Hold the children to the correct spelling of them in all
written work. Make opportunities to use them. Keep a record in plain
sight, showing the children’s progress in conquering them. Make the
mastery of these words a matter personal to yourself, even to the extent
of considering your teaching a failure if every child in the fifth year
does not form the habit of correctly spelling this list. Call attention
to these pages at the beginning of the year, and arouse the children’s
interest and ambition to master the words as early as possible.
On page 49 is given another list of lesser “demons.” The sixth-grade
teacher should in like manner hold herself responsible for this list.
Keep on urging and testing until each child has mastered his particular
“word demons.”