Do you teach learner(s) who need extra support with spelling? Then, you’ll LOVE our updated spelling folder.
This spelling folder, made with two folders put together, changed everything for my second grader.
*Find spelling folders for US readers, Canadian readers, UK, and Australian readers at the very end of this post.
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Spelling Folder – Foldable Spelling Board with FREE Printables
*This post contains affiliate links.
*Please note: In the images, you’ll see the incorrect word, Afficatives, used instead of Affricates as a heading over the /ch/ and /j/. This has been corrected in the PDF.
We’ve used a DIY word wall folder for years, specifically for keeping up with spellings of sight words. But this spelling folder helps kids spell SO many more skills. I also love that it’s portable!
So, just what’s included?
- Number Words (1-20, then by tens to one hundred, thousand, and million)
- b and d letter reversal reminder (using the word bed)
- Color Words
- NEW! Sound Wall for both consonants and vowel sounds – The American version of the sound wall is in the photos below, but the sound walls are unique to each country.
- Spelling Tips: Stretch, Tap, Spell
- Handwriting Visuals (I’ve included both print and D’Nealian)
- Days of the Week
- Months of the Year
- 2D Shape Names
- 3D Shape Names
- U.S. Coin Names
- NEW! Common Homophone Confusions : there/they’re/their, your/you’re, and its/it’s
- I have included alternate pages with ALL sight words from Dolch PP-3rd grade PLUS Fry’s first 100, second 100, and 3rd 100 words {plus a few added words}
This folder was developed specifically for my second grader. I know that the needs of all learners are different, so cut and paste away to fit the needs of your learners!
Use resources from the printable spelling folder pack or find even more free spelling resources on my blog! I’ve also included lots of links to spelling freebies and learning folders on the blog in the spelling folder download.
A portable sound wall has been added with “Vowel Valley.”
Note: These printable resources can be found in color AND in blackline and are unique to each country!
Making Your Spelling Folder
Making the foldable spelling board isn’t difficult. Actually, it was kind of fun. 🙂
Start with two folders. I love the colored file folders, but manila folders also work. Be sure to cut the tabs off each folder so they will fold up nicely for easy storage.
Place one folder into the other on one side {like you see in the above picture} and either glue or staple them together. To save on time, I pulled out my long-arm stapler and stapled them.
Staple or glue it well so it won’t come apart when you fold over the sides. If you use glue, I highly recommend rubber cement! Be sure to give your folders time to dry, too.
Print out, cut, and paste {or staple} the printables you want to go on each side. I did not put anything on the very back of our spelling folder, but you could.
Alternate pages have been included in the file that you can use or not use. This includes a Sight Word Bank, Common Homophones, and a Vowel Chart* listed by types of vowels instead of the Vowel Valley.
*The Australian version does not contain the alternate vowel chart.
Using the Spelling Folder
Now, you have the perfect resource for spelling all ready. BUT…learners, especially struggling spellers, won’t automatically know how to use it. You’ll need to do some modeling, teaching, and practicing.
For a few days, we spent just 2-3 minutes looking at the folder and talking about how to use each section.
Once she was familiar with it, we started playing a little “game” with it. I’d ask, “If I’m spelling a word that has a long a vowel pattern in it, where can I look to help me?” or “If I need to spell the sight word were, where can I find it?”
Please hear me say this:
Do not instruct learner(s) to stop and look up the spelling of every single word they want to write. This could greatly hinder their train of thought as they are getting ideas down on paper (I’m speaking to writing a draft).
Instead, encourage them to try the word to the best of their abilities. Then they can underline the word, if they don’t think they’ve spelled correctly. When they edit their work, they can use the resources in this spelling folder to review their underlined words.
Choose the folder you’d like to download. Enter your email below.
Enjoy teaching!
~Becky
Sherry Emond says
Becky — I just have to say how much I am loving your website and am now using your freebies on a regular basis. I am one of the sponsors of a Syrian refugee family and the 5th grader is really struggling with learning how to read and write English. I tutor him almost daily, and you have saved me!! I just made this spelling folder for him. Thank you so much!
thisreadingmama says
What a blessing to read this comment! I am so glad you can use it with him!
SunflowerMom says
Wow, such a great resource, thank you so much for taking the time to put it together.
thisreadingmama says
You are welcome! It was a fun one to make!
Sarah says
Thank you for sharing! I have seen these done in classrooms but not with such detail! I originally thought I couldn’t use it because it was in color and my color printer recently stopped working, so I was SOOOOO happy to find you included a black and white version in the download and I also appreciate that you included both forms of handwriting!
thisreadingmama says
You’re welcome! 🙂
Mary Ann Stassen says
I love this! I am also glad for the black and white. The colour would be so nice, but I can’t afford it for my whole class. That printer ink adds up! I share my classroom with a co-teaching French instructor, so bulletin board space is at a premium. This saves me from making the classic Word Wall and I can use that space for other things. I love the portability. Thanks for saving me so much time.
thisreadingmama says
Saving time and space is a great reason to use it! I’m glad it will work for you!
Kristie James says
Hi I am trying to get the printables to make this folder for next year but it says not available anymore? Any chance you could sent to me?
thisreadingmama says
It is still available. Do you mind letting me know what internet browser you’re using? I just tried in Chrome and got to the PDF with success.
Carmen says
I love your spelling folder for my emergent readers. I teach in Canada, would you be able to send me a Canadian version using Canadian coins? Thank you
thisreadingmama says
I don’t have plans to change anything on the spelling folder at this time. I do have this post with Canadian coins you might could adapt for your use –> https://thisreadingmama.com/u-s-canadian-coins-pocket-cube-inserts/
Yvonne says
This looks great!!! I work in a Special Education classroom and reading assistance is my first love! Thanks.
thisreadingmama says
You’re welcome! I hope you can get lots of use out of it!
Jane says
This look greats!My children are studying at home .I hope you can get lots of use out of it!
thisreadingmama says
We’ve already gotten quite a bit of use out of it!
Pam Sims says
Can’t pull up Spelling Folder would love to have
Pam says
Can not pull up spelling folder> I would love to have it
thisreadingmama says
Try these tips –> https://thisreadingmama.com/downloading-printing-help/
k says
my password for subscribers is not working
thisreadingmama says
You probably are trying to use the old password. The password changed on November 19th. The password will always be at the bottom of your newsletter. I just sent one yesterday. The new password is at the bottom of it.
KHADEEJA says
Thanks a million
Betsy says
Thank you so much for sharing these. I was looking for a good list of sight words for my struggling speller. This is great! It includes so much more than I was originally looking for.
thisreadingmama says
You’re welcome! 🙂
Janet Nguyen says
Thank you so much this is what i want to teach my niece and my nephew.
Janice Sturm says
Becky,
I absolutely LOVE your ideas! Your self correct activities are perfect for the Montessori environment and your spelling folder fits the bill. I plan on introducing it at the beginning of next school year (2018-2019). Thanks for sharing.
thisreadingmama says
You’re so welcome! 🙂
Jessica says
This is so great. I would love to use this. Is it still available? I cannot get it to print?
thisreadingmama says
I’m sorry it’s giving you trouble. Can you email me at becky{at}thisreadingmama{dot}com so I can better help you?
Britleigh says
I am an inclusion teacher for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. I have many students who struggle with writing and spelling. I was wanting to make a personal word wall myself, but I am so glad I found yours. I think it’s great! And it’ll take a little work off me. haha Thanks!
thisreadingmama says
Yay! Glad I could take some of the work off of you!
kiyachelle says
Becky,
I can’t even begin to tell you how encouraged I am by your genuineness and your generosity. I am a former classroom teacher who is now a stay at home mom of 4 kids 5 and under. My husband and I prayed a lot and decided that we were supposed to homeschool. Its been a wild ride and until I found your blog I had been creating a lot of my own resources. I can’t tell you how much it blessed me to find another mom, former teacher, with a bundle of kids, who loves the Lord and is using her gifting to bless her family and others. Its easy to feel really discouraged sometimes when I forget the calling I have and the blessings God has given. Thank you so much for doing this blog!
thisreadingmama says
Oh, you are SO welcome. It’s a blessing to be used to bless others!! Yes, the homeschooling road can feel a little lonely and discouraging at times, but my calling always draws me back. 🙂
Rose says
Thank you for sending this through my email. It makes it easy for my Ell beginners when they finish writing to be able to use the folder to edit their spelling. A great resource!
thisreadingmama says
Awesome! Glad you can use it!
Cheryl says
Thank you for making this. I just printed it and put it together. My second grader is excited.
thisreadingmama says
You’re very welcome! I’m glad your second grader is excited about it! My 2nd grader still shows hers off to others. Just yesterday, my son had a friend over and she explained it all to him. 🙂
Arjill says
Thank you very much for making this. Im going to put it all together tonight when I get home and introduce this to my girl who is a kindergarten.
thisreadingmama says
You’re welcome! 🙂
Nyke says
Thanks for this. I’m starting my daughter (4yrs) on writing stories (a paragraph really) to keep her mind going and we have a dictionary but that seems daunting for her so having your folder is helping her be more independent.
thisreadingmama says
You’re welcome. I also have one for Kindergarten, if you think that might have more for your daughter -> https://thisreadingmama.com/kindergarten-spelling-folder/
Mrs Mason says
This is a wonderful resource. I had made a few folders for children at our school. Slightly modified to suit our curriculum. Thank you for sharing this great resource idea!
thisreadingmama says
Yay! I’m glad you could use them (and modify them) for your learners. 🙂
Babychaser says
This is very clever! What a great resource! Thank you for sharing this!
thisreadingmama says
You’re welcome.
Jillian Landeen says
Thank you this has been a great help for my two boys. Do you have a math folder? This would be wonderful. These two subjects are so important for kids. Thanks
thisreadingmama says
I don’t have a math folder and don’t have plans at this time to make one. That is a great idea, though!
aimee says
Thank you this has been a great help.
thisreadingmama says
Glad to be helpful! 🙂
Latoya Smith-Burrows says
This is an amazing resource, I am so glad I found your site. Thank you so much for all you do! I teach in The Bahamas, would it be okay if I just put the Bahamian coins over your resource for local use? I don’t want to assume you would like it changed.
thisreadingmama says
If you’re going to put the coins over my resource, it should only be for your own personal use.
Rose says
I am so encouraged by finding this resource. I am teaching English in Mexico to all levels of Elementary and Middle School students. Thank you so much for your generosity in creating this helpful blog!
thisreadingmama says
You’re welcome! 🙂
Emily Shumway says
Thank you so much! Keep safe.
thisreadingmama says
Thank you. I’ll sure try!
Jess says
I would love to use this resource but I cannot seem to find the password in my email. This is such a great resource. I would loved to use it with my remote learners. Thanks for your consideration.
Jess
thisreadingmama says
I’m sorry it’s giving you trouble. Can you email me at becky{at}thisreadingmama{dot}com so I can better help you?
Effie says
This is an amazing resource, thank you! I use it with students I tutor. It’s very helpful to have everything in one place!
Aarti says
Hi. This is great resource! Thank you so much for sharing. Very helpful. Great with the pictures too! God bless you
Theresa says
Thank you so much for all of your resources. You are a blessing. I teach struggling readers and spellers in a Title I school and we are virtual. It has been a struggle. I am going to make this for my students and hand deliver them. This will be a game changer. Thank you! Thank you!
Ruth Bridgewater says
I use the Spelling folder every year for my class. They LOVE it, and it’s such an amazing tool to help with spelling, reading, and even math information. I am moving up to third grade next year, and can’t wait to see the third grade information for the folders. Thank you for doing this, I love it!
Carlene says
Lot of great ideas thank you so much for sharing
thisreadingmama says
You are welcome!
Jess says
Oh wow thank you so much- an Australian version!!! It’s made my morning- it’s always wonderful to find resources that have the Aussie version for our kids; we’ve had some confusion from our beginning readers when they try and sound something out phonetically that just don’t fit in that phonetic category with how we pronounce the word here in Australia.