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Cognition and Learning|Spelling

Tools and tips

SPAG Grid

Use the SPAG grid for; consistent feedback, SPAG specific success criteria and as a progress measure. The SPAG GRID (this can be also used in sticker format for easy use in books) is in the Toolbox section of this page.

Teach spelling strategies

We need to actively teach spelling patterns to support weaker spellers with the rules. It is important to break words apart and look at how they are made up. I have included a poster for spelling strategies below in the toolbox section. A useful website which demonstrates the use of pictures to remember core spelling patterns is linked here Grammar Blog.

Focus on Few not Many

Focus on a few core mistakes and try to correct them. Students can become disheartened when they see corrections all over their work. It is very important that you give the student a means of learning the correct spelling (dictionary, look cover say, take home spelling list). Go back over and review spellings to ensure practice.

Non Phonic

Where words don’t phonically work, help students to visualise words, by speaking letters backwards (Magic Spelling) or highlighting word features. Word families can also be a useful way of putting these non-phonic words together- our brains love patterns and categories.

Toolbox