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Millom Infant School
Every child a learner, we all learn together
Spelling
At Millom Infant School, we use the program, Spelling Shed in KS1. It is taught over 3 sessions per week. Each week, the children will be given a set of words which they will focus on. Each lesson contains objectives, revise, introduction, main teaching input, independent work and consolidation.
The Science of Spelling
What is the Science of Spelling?
The Science of Spelling is a systematic approach that involves understanding the relationship between sounds and written symbols.
It utilises the large body of Science of Reading research to implement evidence-based best practices and strategies to teach and practise spelling. Learning to spell is a key ingredient to becoming a good reader and is far more intricate than just memorising words.
There are over 300 words on the statutory spelling lists from years one to six. Committing each word to memory would be an enormous and daunting task for any learner. Instead, The Science of Spelling teaches children to recognise spelling patterns and highlights notable exceptions. Words are taught in context and linked to other words with similar patterns in order to fully explore their meanings.
Why is Spelling Important?
Research confirms that spelling enhances young children’s ability to read and write. However, as children get older, the continued teaching of appropriate spelling practices (spelling patterns; studying the meaning of roots, prefixes and suffixes; the historical development of the English language and words’ language of origin) could provide them with significant benefits (Moats, 2005).
Moats (2005) describes the two big sources of complexity in English spelling as the layering of various languages as English evolved and the emphasis on meaning instead of sounds. Explicit spelling instruction in these areas can help pupils unlock clues about the meaningful relationships between words as well as contribute to vocabulary growth and reading comprehension. The Spelling Shed Stages 3-5 lists slowly begin to introduce these concepts and provide for rich vocabulary and morphology acquisition.
Written language is a form of communication. Errors in spelling can lead to misunderstandings and a loss of meaning. While the basic meaning may still be conveyed in a message peppered with spelling errors, the authority and tone of the communication have likely been lost. Daffern and Fleet (2021) note that: “In an age of fast-paced digital modes of communication such as texting, emailing, and messaging through social media platforms, it seems more important than ever to be able to efficiently spell words in a range of contexts."
How Does Spelling Impact Reading?
Learning to spell is a key ingredient to becoming a good reader and is far more intricate than just memorising words. Catherine Snow et al. (2005) summarise the real importance of spelling for reading as follows: “Spelling and reading build and rely on the same mental representation of a word. Knowing the spelling of a word makes the representation of it sturdy and accessible for fluent reading.” Encoding (spelling) is a developmental process that impacts fluency, writing, pronunciation and vocabulary. Fluency is best developed through a combination of mastering systematic phonics, practicing high frequency words and repeated readings (Moats, 1998; LeBerge & Samuels, 1974; Rasinski, 2009).
As pupils begin to master phonics, it is advantageous to use those skills to practice the 300 high frequency words that make up 65% of all texts (Fry, 1999). When the relationship between spelling and reading is conveyed, pupils gain a better understanding of the code and demonstrate gains in reading comprehension (Moats, 2005), vocabulary (Moats, 2005), fluency (Snow et al., 2005) and spelling (Berninger, 2012).
How Does Spelling Shed Use The Science of Spelling to Deliver Effective Spelling Lessons?
To deliver effective spelling lessons that align with the principles of the Science of Spelling, we must focus on research-backed approaches. This means teaching strategies rather than memorising them. These strategies include direct instruction, word study and practice. Spelling Shed lists were developed by applying the Science of Reading research and follow a systematic progression of phonics and word study skills typically addressed in each Stage.
Spelling Shed supports differentiated learning, allowing pupils to progress at their own pace and receive activities tailored to their individual needs. This personalised approach aligns with the Science of Reading's emphasis on accommodating diverse learning styles and abilities.
At Spelling Shed, every lesson has a main objective from the National Curriculum 2014. We use word study and the latest spelling research to effectively teach spelling. The timing is flexible to fit with your school’s needs. Spelling Shed provides children with multiple methods for approaching spelling. Each lesson is planned and has resources, including a lesson plan, a lesson presentation and worksheets.
At the beginning of each Stage, there is an intentional spiral review of skills expected to have been acquired in the previous Stage but they also include words of increasing difficulty. Throughout the progression, new and more advanced concepts and skills are delicately intertwined within the review. This aids in linking past learning to the new concepts and skills and reinforces and solidifies learning. If pupils are struggling with a particular skill, teachers can use previous Stage lists, which will have a more in-depth focus to match pupils’ needs. The majority of the words selected for each list contain only the grapheme-phoneme correspondences (GPC’s) that have been previously reviewed to avoid cognitive overload, help ensure focus and attain mastery of the skill at hand.
Practising to read high frequency words is essential to becoming a fluent reader but not by memorising the whole word. Brain research shows that strong readers, even when they process a written word, such as ‘instantaneously,’ are reading by sounds. Researchers have repeatedly demonstrated that readers who read fluently are able to map phonograms to their sounds automatically. The process occurs so quickly that it appears they are reading “by sight” (Ehri & Snowling, 2004). Most high-frequency words are decodable and are more efficiently taught alongside the corresponding phonetic patterns. When pupils use their knowledge of the sounds to learn and master high-frequency words, they simultaneously strengthen the skills that will enable them to read thousands more.
Parents
As a parent you want your child to succeed. You want them to develop a strong educational foundation from which they can grow. Spelling tests are one of the first ways that children compare themselves academically to other children.
Spelling Shed provides parents:
- A game-like format that helps builds your child’s confidence in spelling
- The ability for your child to create their own weekly word lists
- A full spelling curriculum that is grade level specific and provides weekly online and offline activities
- Phonics based lists for your early learners
- The ability to track your child’s progress and see what words they are frequently misspelling
Parents can subscribe to Spelling Shed for their children directly or access can be provided by a school.
Spelling along with vocabulary and phonics are critical foundational skills that help your child with reading fluency and reading comprehension.