| Parents Corner > How to help your child in ... |
Spelling…
Following concerns highlighted by some parents in
regards to ‘spelling tests’, we have reviewed our
spelling policy.
We have decided that children will no longer be
expected to take home spellings to be learnt for
a ‘test’ on Thursdays but they will take as
homework and a part of so different tools to
help in spellings but no test will be
administered.
We feel that spellings are becoming a real concern
for some children and causing unnecessary stress as
well as lowering children’s confidence towards trying
to spell words in their written work. It is also
apparent that although many children do get all of
the spellings right, this knowledge is often not being
transferred to their writing.
Following concerns highlighted by some parents in
regards to ‘spelling tests’, we have reviewed our
spelling policy.
We have decided that children will no longer be
expected to take home spellings to be learnt for
a ‘test’ on Thursdays but they will take as
homework and a part of so different tools to
help in spellings but no test will be
administered.
We feel that spellings are becoming a real concern
for some children and causing unnecessary stress as
well as lowering children’s confidence towards trying
to spell words in their written work. It is also
apparent that although many children do get all of
the spellings right, this knowledge is often not being
transferred to their writing.
At GVS we continually monitor progress and in general,
children are good spellers.
In order for children to be good spellers they are
taught spelling strategies to give them the confidence
to attempt words in their writing.
At GVS this is achieved in a number of ways. Primarily,
we build a positive ethos in the classroom where
children are willing to take risks and have a go.
Spelling is taught systematically through the Literacy
Hour, which includes a focused fifteen minute word
level input each day. Children may also do activities
that practice, investigate, consolidate or extend word
knowledge during the Literacy Hour. There are
also other opportunities during the day when spelling is
reinforced. Activities and strategies introduced are
appropriate to the children’s phase of development in
spelling
children are good spellers.
In order for children to be good spellers they are
taught spelling strategies to give them the confidence
to attempt words in their writing.
At GVS this is achieved in a number of ways. Primarily,
we build a positive ethos in the classroom where
children are willing to take risks and have a go.
Spelling is taught systematically through the Literacy
Hour, which includes a focused fifteen minute word
level input each day. Children may also do activities
that practice, investigate, consolidate or extend word
knowledge during the Literacy Hour. There are
also other opportunities during the day when spelling is
reinforced. Activities and strategies introduced are
appropriate to the children’s phase of development in
spelling
Some of the spelling strategies include:
learn how to spell a word.
We encourage children to have a go at words and teach them
strategies to do so.
This involves children asking themselves questions such as:
- Using their knowledge of the letter/ sound association.
E.g. Recording the initial letters of a word - Using knowledge of common letter strings E.g. ight, ould,
ain. - Use of spelling conventions Eg. doubling consonants
before adding ‘ing’ - Use of word banks.
- As children become more confident they use dictionaries
to check words. Generally this is done as part of the
proof reading stage so as not to disturb the flow of ideas
in writing.
- Spelling partners
learn how to spell a word.
We encourage children to have a go at words and teach them
strategies to do so.
This involves children asking themselves questions such as:
- Do I know this word?
- Can I sound it out easily?
- How many syllables can I hear?
- Do I know any other words that sound the same?
- Does the word I have written look right?
- Does the word have another word inside it?
- As children become confident they will develop their own
strategies for remembering words
Things you can do at home to help with spelling……
As you read with your child, point out different
words and highlight their features. Eg. How long it
is, how many letters it has, unusual letter patterns
and silent letters. You can also look for hidden
within words.
You could borrow picture dictionaries and alphabet
books from a library, progressing to a Junior
Dictionary and Thesaurus in Primary 3. Look up
unfamiliar words from their reading book or words
that they are feeling unsure of when writing.
As you read with your child, point out different
words and highlight their features. Eg. How long it
is, how many letters it has, unusual letter patterns
and silent letters. You can also look for hidden
within words.
You could borrow picture dictionaries and alphabet
books from a library, progressing to a Junior
Dictionary and Thesaurus in Primary 3. Look up
unfamiliar words from their reading book or words
that they are feeling unsure of when writing.
Share writing opportunities such as notes,
letters, lists or birthday cards with your child.
This will encourage them to have a go at their
own writing.
Talk about print in the environment such as shop
signs, envelopes and car number plates.
Draw attention to letters that may be in your
surname or letter patterns.
As your child begins to spell key words, help
them make up mnemonics to spell difficult words.
Eg. Big Elephants Can’t Always Use Small Exits.
letters, lists or birthday cards with your child.
This will encourage them to have a go at their
own writing.
Talk about print in the environment such as shop
signs, envelopes and car number plates.
Draw attention to letters that may be in your
surname or letter patterns.
As your child begins to spell key words, help
them make up mnemonics to spell difficult words.
Eg. Big Elephants Can’t Always Use Small Exits.
Spelling games, such as Hangman, How many words
can you find in….? Scrabble, I Spy.
Make collections of words. This could be related to
our school topic, such as weather words. You may
ask you child to find ten words with one syllable in
a storybook, or ten words that start with a.
Look at the stage Gazette to find out what letter
sounds or patterns are being taught.
You could use the Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check
method to practise words with these sounds.
When children are confidently having a go at words
they could try simple word puzzles and crosswords
can you find in….? Scrabble, I Spy.
Make collections of words. This could be related to
our school topic, such as weather words. You may
ask you child to find ten words with one syllable in
a storybook, or ten words that start with a.
Look at the stage Gazette to find out what letter
sounds or patterns are being taught.
You could use the Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check
method to practise words with these sounds.
When children are confidently having a go at words
they could try simple word puzzles and crosswords
| Green Valley School |
| Since 1998 |
