Teaching
Spelling
at Stanwell Fields
CofE Primary
School
Read Write
Inc.
Spelling
What is it?
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Designed for Y2-6
Systematic spelling programme
Offers continuous practise and reinforcement
Helps children commit spelling knowledge to
long term memory (rather than learning in
preparation for a spelling test only to forget a
few hours later!)
Who is it for?
• Children who have completed phonics teaching in year 1
and who would be moving on to the phase 6 phonics
teaching in year 2. This takes the place of the phase 6
phonics teaching.
• Children who are not secure with their phonics sounds
either have additional phonics with an adult instead of the
Read Write Inc spelling or take part in the spelling session
and have additional phonics later in the day.
The Resources
• Practice Books – each child has their own
book. Partner, independent and group
activities
• Video Clips at the start of each unit
• Spelling log books
• Word banks
How does it work?
• We have dedicated spelling time in our class
timetables
• Spelling is a school priority and we talk about the
spelling rules regularly in all lessons
• Progresses through each year group and across
the school
The activities throughout a unit of work:
• The Practice Books
• Speed Spell (word banks will go home at the start
of a unit so you know what your child is working
on in class)
• Spelling Zone Activity
The activities throughout a unit of work:
• Dots and Dashes
Helping and encouraging your child to listen to the sounds and to
sound out a word when trying to spell it is really useful. It may not
always be right and they need to learn all the rules and
exceptions but it is a good starting point and a good skill to use.
The activities throughout a unit of work:
• Word Changers
This activity helps children think about the root
word and why the words are spelt in the way
they are according to the rule.
The activities throughout a unit of work:
• Log and Learn
Children choose the words they have found tricky from the dots and
dashes and word changers and record these in their spelling logs.
At home you could ask you child about some of the words they are
finding tricky to spell and talk to them about how they can remember
them.
The activities throughout a unit of work:
• Dictation
Children work together to dictate a sentence to a partner. They check
errors and correct them.
At home you could use the words from the word bank we send home to
dictate short sentences for your child to write down.
The activities throughout a unit of work:
• Four in a row
This is a little partner spelling test where they choose a word from dots and
dashes or word changers to ask each other. The aim is to be the first to get
4 correct spellings.
• Team Teach
Similarly, team teach is an activity where the children practise spelling the
words together and talking about which words are easy or tricky to learn and
how they remember them.
The activities throughout a unit of work:
• Jumping red or orange words
These are the words from the National Curriculum (common exception
words) that each year group has been assigned. These are not linked to the
spelling unit but are words your child is expected to be able to spell by the
end of the school year. The teacher will choose 6 to test the children on.
I have printed these spelling lists for you so you can also work on these with
your child at home if you are able to.
Games to play at home
• Any of these games or activities can be
played with the word banks or the common
exception words we will be sending home.
Words on your back
• Sit with your back facing your child and ask
them to write one of their spellings on your
back. If spelt correctly, they get a point. If
incorrect, spell it aloud for them to write on
your back.
• Swap roles!
Cloud writing
• Say a target word and have your child
write it in the air whilst saying each letter
aloud. The movements can be as big or
exaggerated as they want.
• This can be done anywhere - while walking
to the shops, driving in the car etc.
Chalk Words
• Buy some chalk and let your child write the
words on the patio, driveway etc.
• With our weather, it won’t be long until they are
washed away and you are ready to start again!
• Equally, rainbow writing is always fun with every
letter in a different coloured pen or pencil.
Spell Text
• Kids love playing on tablets or phones.
Have them type the spellings in a text or
email and send them to you or another
family member.
• Don’t forget to check them as we don’t
want children practising incorrect spellings!
Write a Silly Story
• Encourage children to use as many of the
word bank spellings as they can in a silly
sentence or story.
• A great opportunity to work on handwriting
and punctuation targets too.
Squiggly Letters
• Write out the words normally then write
them again in squiggly writing.
• Alternatively, write them in big bubble
writing.
Hide and Spell
• Hide the words from the word bank around
the house. When your child finds one, they
can only keep it if they can close their eyes
and spell it correctly.
• How many cards can they collect?
Noughts and Crosses
• Cut up the words from the word bank and
place them in a pile between you. Take
turns to turn over a card and read it. The
other person should spell the word aloud. If
they get it right they can place a nought or
cross on the game board.
Wordsearches
• Design a wordsearch (or even a
crossword) using some of the spelling
words together.
• You can also find a lot of website that
create crosswords from words you enter
online.
Make it rhythmic
• Spell out the words to the tune of a
favourite song. Children seem to be able to
memorise song words easily enough!
Build the word
• Cut up the words into chunks or individual
letters and piece them back together.
• Use magnetic letters to build the words.
• Make a set of letter cards together on
paper and use them to build the words.
Pyramid Writing
• Build the words into a pyramid a letter at a
time:
h
ho
hou
hous
house
Tips for helping with Homework
• Schedule a regular time – get into a routine
• Have a dictionary and any other resources your child might need at
home
• Set up a clear homework area
• Praise their work and efforts
• Set a time limit
• Don’t let it become too much of a chore. Keep it fun and make it a
special time that you both look forward to.
Thank you for coming today!
Any questions?