SPELLINGS HOLMER GREEN FIRST SCHOOL

New National Curriculum fully implemented September 2016 with emphasis on: Higher expectations across the curriculum. Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar. Aims to making learning more meaningful for the children. Aims at making connections between different aspects of learning. Raising children’s self esteem. Consequently we are changing our approach to spelling and will begin on Monday 1 st February!

◦ Spellings will now link with phonics (sounds) and high frequency words (HFW or tricky words). ◦ Words to be learnt will be personalised and based on the work being covered in phonics groups. ◦ They will match your child’s weekly phonics teaching. ◦ They will include spelling patterns as well as high frequency words. ◦ We will no longer send home lists of words to learn to spell. Instead the following will form our partnership learning of spellings with home: Fun activities to rehearse spelling and spelling patterns e.g. word searchers, criss-crosses, doodles etc. These will replace the old spelling books. Sheets will be given out on a Monday to be brought back to school on Friday of the same week. On Friday the children will have an activity on in their phonics groups to check they can use and apply spelling patterns and high frequency words. Any misconceptions will be addressed the following week through phonics lessons.

◦ Other aspects of the new system to note include: Lists of words are now shorter. There is the opportunity for you to extend your child if you so wish. Sounds which are being taught will be made explicit on the activity. High Frequency Words will be revisited through phonics lessons. Digraphs will be revisited as alternatives are taught e.g. ie/igh/i- e. More key words will now be covered. Phase 6 includes activities on grammar, tenses, suffixes, and HFW.

Thank you! Any questions?