An important task in teaching the Russian language is to develop the child's skills of competent and correct writing. To do this, students are encouraged to memorize the rules, perform certain exercises. In some cases, to write correctly, it is enough just to pick up a test word. But the child must remember the algorithm of this operation, as well as the cases when it can be applied.
So, in spelling there is a rule regarding the unstressed vowel in the root. To determine which letter should be written, the student must choose such a single-root word so that the stress falls on the sound being tested. Such simple cases as "cats - a cat" can serve as an example. It should be noted here that the test word should not only be of the same root, but also close in lexical meaning.
There are homophones in Russian. These words have the same pronunciation but different lexical meanings. For example, homophones will "reconcile" and"try on". In the first case, the verb comes from the noun "peace" (to reconcile comrades), and in the second - from "to measure" (to try on clothes). Therefore, when choosing a test word, you need to take into account its meaning.
The school program includes not only simple cases, but also more complex ones, when there is an alternation at the root. An example would be the word "absorb". It is verified by the noun "throat". Children need to explain the essence of the process of alternation, and how it happens. Another example would be "tame". The test word in this case would be "meek" or "meekness." Here it is important to introduce the child to the lexical meaning, as well as to show similar cases (simplify, etc.).
It is not always possible to find a test word for an unstressed sound. There are exceptions, the writing of which is influenced by the historical patterns of the development of the language. Students are encouraged to simply memorize them. They are usually included in the dictionaries found in textbooks.
There are situations where the rule is not as easy to apply as it seems. For example, it is often difficult for children to write the word "gray". The test word in this case can be taken "sed", however, it has practically gone out of use, and it can be found only in some literary works. In addition, you can take the diminutive "gray", which is also foundrarely in speech.
In order to teach schoolchildren to select a test word according to this rule, it is recommended to use a certain algorithm. You can take those that are offered by the authors of the programs of the subject, or compile with students on your own (in the latter case, the best memorization effect is noted).
The following algorithm can serve as an example. First, there is the spelling. Next, single-root words are selected (at the beginning of the same part of speech, if it doesn’t work out, then another). It is concluded whether it is possible to check an unstressed sound in this way. If yes, we write correctly, otherwise, we turn to the dictionary.
Constantly reinforcing the rule and exercises aimed at this are the basis of success and one more step to mastering literacy.
