"slauth"

This, spells the word "sleigh" on Tuesday. Spelling is a challenge for Youngest. He gets his spelling words on Monday. And then, repetition, writing, verbal repeating, rhymes, little things to jog his memory ; "when you "broil" don't forget the "oil". Everyday. On Friday, the big test. Wednesday he may get closer to "sleigh". By Thursday afternoon, he needs to have that down, along with "reindeer" (currently "rainder"), "Rudolph" (currently "Rudph") and "laughter" (currently "lafer"). I don't worry too much about this difference between us. Spelling was always natural to me, perhaps moved along by my love of books. But I know some really spanking smart folks who have a hard time with spelling. I even have a sister, who reads famously, and struggles with spelling! So, I see it as just another thing you have to deal with, work around and get through- a lesson in life.
Eldest, who is working on a professional reading career spells quite well, and lately has demonstrated the limitations of that medium for use of new words. She will use words correctly in a sentence, but mispronounces them. When you read, no one is governing the way you pronounce the word in your head. Just as Huz thought "Hermione" from the Harry Potter series was pronounced "Her-me-own". I have corrected the pronunciation of Eldest's words from time to time, even teased her a bit to help her remember and praised her for increasing her vocabulary. Refreshing to hear a teen say her teacher "donned a wig", even if it is pronounced "d-Own-ed". And, for Youngest, thank God for spell check!