Improovin Kee Stadge Too Spelin!! Why do we want to do it? It’s in the School Improvement Plan Y6 SPAG test results show that 41% failed to get over half marks. This was spread throughout all abilities. Specific word lists are in the new curriculum. Children not transferring spelling in writing or using in context. Stretches across every part of the curriculum Essential for oral and written language Can effect the writer’s self image Poor spelling is associated to poor writing skills- the less thought put into spelling, the more time put into what is being written!

A typical week Revisit – the spelling rule/spellings taught in a previous week Teach – the rule or the example words Practise – writing the words Apply - in context Give out the words that use the rule for that week on a MONDAY. TUESDAY- predominantly games based. WEDNESDAY- revisit the teaching with the more tricky of the words given from Monday THURSDAY- predominantly games based. The words are tested on a FRIDAY through dictation – but not all of them and ALL in context. Spellings for homework would possibly be taken from the year group word list for their set group.

Word lists Taken from new curriculum- suggested to start and use these to become familiar and not to have to change again in future. Can be linked to topic and be evident on planning. Y3/4- WW2 bicycle, woman, guard Y5/6 Topic Ancient Greece- spellings could include ancient, government, foreign.

Games- Missing Vowels Write instructions on the board, but leave out all the vowels. Tk t yr bks. Pls wrt th dt. Or write book titles without vowels Fv Mnts Pc Dry f _ Wmp Kd

Synonyms / Antonyms Quick write synonyms / antonyms Give children an overused word eg went, said, big, small, bored, hot, excited etc. Write synonyms on the board, but with vowels missing E.g.: for “big” - “h _ g _” “m _ ss _ v _”

Word of the Day Have a word for day and all pupils have to try to fit that into a spoken sentence during that day and earn points for doing so. Have a witness sign a slip to say they did it.

Circle spelling/ spelling tennis A spelling game children play in groups/pairs. A child starts by saying a spelling word from the list; the children must each say one letter of the spelling word. For example if the word was: Alaska The first student would say capital A, the next student says l, then a, s, k, a and each student will continue. To the end the word the person after the last letter will say Alaska.

Odd one out Children are presented with a range of words from the list containing the spelling pattern. Some of the words are correct, some are spelled incorrectly. Tell the children how many words are correct and the children have to find them. Write the words on their whiteboards – played in pairs. Leave the incorrect spellings on the board – go through how to correct them with the children.

Y3/4 spellings Trialling something new for this half term. Picking 5 spellings from the new word lists, displayed and discussed Everyone gets the same. Constantly referred to throughout the week in all subjects Get rewarded for attempting the word in writing and able to spell it correctly 3x for incorrect spellings Other spellings that children should know by this year group are also picked up on but nothing else. Really enjoying it and positive feedback so far!!

Year 5/6 Spelling Use words to focus on a spelling rule each week; Three differentiated groups – 3 to 5 spellings each; Five, twenty minute spelling sessions per week; Use of games and challenges plus revision of handy hints to help remember; Rewarded for use of spellings in everyday writing; Spelling errors x3 copied out and end of a piece of work. Really enjoying games and focus on helping them like – can you make up a story using all your spelling words?

Y5/6 – Game – Missing vowels The cyclps gbbld dwn n f dysss mn. Y cn strggl t ccpy th lng sx wk hlday. Pls pprch wth sffcnt cr. Cn y rcmmnd a stble prfssn? It is ncssry t plsh brss.

Year 5/6 – Handy hints to help you spell - Say it as it is spelt. - Remember the spelling rules - apply them. - Make up a saying/rhyme/ditty to remember tricky words that come up lots. - Say it, Write it, check it, change it.

Any questions?