We choose the spelling words from the revised National Curriculum list. Each year group has their own list of words for every week of the year and their associated rules. Word lists will be given as homework each week and correlate with the list in the Spelling Handbook.
Spelling Activities
High Frequency Words and Topic Words
In addition to the weekly spelling list, pupils will receive two high frequency words and two topic words to practice for that week. High frequency words are those words that appear most frequently in the English language and it is
important that pupils continue to rehearse and learn these by sight. Topic words are included to emphasise the importance of spelling technical vocabulary accurately.
Pupils will be expected to practice these words at home, as part of their homework routine. Research suggests rote learning strategies are most effective in the memorisation of spelling rules and there are multiple strategies highlighted below. In addition to rote learning strategies, spelling games can be used to rehearse how words are spelled, however these should be used in combination with rote learning strategies.
Effective spelling routines, also look at the meaning, morphology (how a word is made up) and etymology (the origin of words), which we teach every week at school. However, we encourage parents to support pupils in their homework and to have rich discussions around meaning, morphology and etymology that will develop their understanding of how words are spelled.
etymonline.com is an incredibly useful website for exploring the origin of words and parts of words.
Activities to Help Your Child with Spelling
Look, Say, Cover, Say, Write, Check
This variety of the well-known rote learning strategy encourages pupils to pronounce the word, think deeply about the word and how its spelt, practice its formation through tracing in the air and then writing it down provides a high level of focus and intent to spell word accurately.
- Look carefully at the target word, and say it clearly.
- Use your eyes like a camera and take a picture of the word.
- Close your eyes and imagine you can still see the word.
- Say the word again.
- Trace it in the air, with your eyes still closed.
- Open your eyes and write the word.
- Check the spelling. If incorrect, repeat steps and write again.
Spelling Shed
Spelling Shed’s approach to spelling involves the relationship between sounds and written symbols as well as using morphology to help spell through meaning. Each week, the children will have their spellings set on Spelling Shed. On Spelling Shed, the children play a number of different games to practise the words. They will be expected to complete at least 2 games each week. To log on to Spelling Shed, the children have a unique password which enabled them access Spelling Shed through MyLogin.
Children may also use Spelling Shed for extra practise. The ‘Stages’ correspond with year groups. For example, Stages 3 and 4 are years 3 and 4. There are different games to play and different levels of challenge available.
Dictionary.com
Use this app to look up meanings, hear the word spoken and find exemplar sentences. This should be the go to app for exploring the meaning of new and unfamiliar words.
Dictionary.com
