Year 3 & 4 Spelling Scheme

Why? New National Curriculum. In the new curriculum there are spelling patterns as well as wordlists. Wordlists. These are a random assortment of words that the government have put together to learn across Year 3 and 4. Spelling Rules. Each year group has a set of rules that need to be taught in each year group. Whilst this is fine in the most part, for those children who have not grasped the basics this merely adds more confusion. No parallel between wordlists and rules to be taught in Year 3 and 4.

How? Children have been assessed & tested. We have looked a combination of test scores, Literacy books and other writing. Highlighted gaps in knowledge of rules and patterns. For instance over generalising a certain sound or missing out silent letters. Ability grouping & phonics. Some children need to fine tune their application of phonics whilst others are more confident and can be taught the more complex patterns. Eg: ou/ow sound (loud, proud & town, down) are examples of the same letters have different sounds. This paves the way for those who are more confident to learn the ‘ould’ pattern of should, could and would.

What? Differentiated groups based on needs. This means children received targeted support where needed rather than a ‘catch all’ approach. Smaller group sizes. For those children that find Literacy difficult this provides more interaction with an adult. For those that are very able it means more discussion about unusual patterns and words numbered lists sent home. Weekly focus will communicated via the homework letters. Wordlists available online also. Year group specific rules taught as part of Literacy lessons.

When? Spelling lessons will take place on Thursday and Friday normally (few exceptions might occur, but at least two discrete lessons a week). Test will be each Friday. Homework letter sent on Friday will communicate lists for following week.

Who? Mrs Squire Mr Gower Miss Lintern Mr Donley Mrs Shepherd Mrs Myers

Wordlist? Schedule to be developed for groups of words. Tested on all words in both years. This will begin after Easter. We are working on this!

Thank you! Thank you for coming. Any questions? Please pass this information on to parents who were not able to make it! Please do talk amongst yourselves and share any good ideas you have (and share them with the teachers!).