Spelling is not a low-level rote memory activity but a high-level cognitive skill. When Spelling Matters argues that children learn to spell by investigating how words work and recognizing the unique structure and patterns of words. Based on the belief that students need multiple strategies to help them spell, this practical book offers a series of explicit lessons that address the developmental nature of spelling and encourages students to apply their growing word knowledge to their own writing and editing. When Spelling Matters helps teachers nurture students who love words, are inspired by metaphors and word origins and see language as a valuable resource to be mined deeply.