The ALDINE SPELLER has emphasized throughout its text the importance of
developing a “spelling consciousness.” A simple list of words is
inadequate to accomplish this. The work of the seventh grade continues
this development by emphasizing the importance of roots and derivatives.
Teachers have been repeatedly urged to present all derivatives whenever
the root word has been given. The formal study of roots and derivatives
is a large part of the work of the seventh grade. Emphasis should always
be given to the part which is already familiar, at the same time calling
attention to any changes in the vowel or in the consonant through the
formation of the derivative.