Trace, Copy, Cover & Write

Learn about the trace, copy, cover & write strategy that elementary students can use to help with their spelling.

What is Trace, Copy, Cover & Write?

Trace, copy, cover & write (also known as Trace, Copy, Cover & Closed, TCCCC) is a great technique for children in grades Kindergarten to 3rd grade to use in the classroom and at home when practicing spelling.

Teachers can use this method to help students reinforce their weekly words and overcome any spelling errors they may have made in writing work.

How do we use the Trace, Copy, Cover & Write method in English and Language Arts (ELA)?

Trace, copy, cover & write is a method of learning spelling, where children:

Trace the word with a pencil on the lined version of the word in the first column
Copy the word into the second column, while looking at the first column as a reference
Cover the first two columns with a piece of paper
Write the word in the third column, spelling it from memory
Remove the cover and check to see if they got it right

Why is the Trace, Copy, Cover & Write method used in elementary school?

Learning spelling is an important part of English and Language Arts (ELA), and is a critical component of Science of Reading. An increasing body of research indicates that a research-based spelling curriculum assists children in developing Phonemic Awareness (PA) and phonics skills, which contributes to reading and writing fluency later in life. Learning to spell helps children read and write more effectively.

The Trace, Copy, Cover & Write method helps children reinforce how to write the word correctly through repetition. By tracing the word first, it allows them to copy the reference. In copy, they are wiring the neurological pathway for writing the word without a guide. In cover and write, they are writing the word entirely from memory.

How can I make a trace, copy, cover & write worksheet?

Worksheet Creator for Spelling is a free tool that allows teachers to create trace, copy, cover & write worksheets for their students.

Simply enter the words you want to include in a worksheet, choose one of the Trace, Copy, Cover & Write templates, and download the worksheet.

Create a Trace, Copy, Cover & Write worksheet

Video resources

This video explains how to use Trace, Copy, Cover & Write: