Effective Spelling

Effective Spelling is a suite of resources for Foundation to Year 6, designed to support teachers to develop effective, competent spellers who are curious about words and how they are connected.

These brand-new resources demonstrate:

how teachers can navigate flexible pathways through the Big Ideas in spelling and plan programs that are responsive to individual student needs
how spelling can be taught using an inquiry approach – where meaning is at the centre of learning
how word work happens across the day, in all curriculum areas
a structure for a learning sequence based on the gradual-release model, with multiple opportunities for guided practice.

Teaching Guides

Equipping teachers with the knowledge required to teach the Big Ideas in spelling across the primary years with confidence and success.

Each chapter outlines:

how the Big Idea links to the Australian Curriculum: English and what this means for classroom practice
an adaptable sample learning sequence designed to be used for multiple spelling focuses
spelling Analysis Tasks to determine where students are at in their learning
ideas for activities to support students' understandings – for differentiation or further practice
how to measure the impact of a learning sequence using pre- and post-assessments
lists of authentic texts that can be used to teach the spelling focus
suggestions for where to take the learning next.

Sample Pages

My Word Noticing Books

a ready-made place for a student to record their understandings of key spelling concepts and document their expanding vocabulary across a year
a valuable tool the student can refer to when writing.

Features:

'My Spelling Goals' pages
high-frequency word lists with space to add more
prompts for remembering key spelling strategies, mnemonics and 'What can I do to help me spell words?
flexible-use Alphaboxes
reference pages
opportunities for self-reflection.

Sample Pages

How Effective Spelling works in the classroom

Click HERE for more videos from Christine Topfer

Author Spotlight

Lead author Christine Topfer is a widely respected literacy consultant. This is a role that follows a long career with the Department of Education in Tasmania as a teacher, school leader, literacy coach and policy writer. Christine is a past Australian Literacy Educators' Association (ALEA) Vice President and has been awarded ALEA Life Membership. She is the co-author of several teacher resources, including Guiding Thinking for Effective Spelling (second edition published by Cengage Learning Australia in 2017).

Emma Warren and Bethany Woolnough are experienced primary school teachers from Hobart, Tasmania. They are active local ALEA members and present on spelling and inquiry at both a state and national level. Emma and Bethany act as teacher consultants and mentors, and have a passion for inquiry and play-based learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click HERE to view frequently asked questions on using and implementing Effective Spelling.

For NSW Teachers

Click HERE to view the NESA Correlation Chart.

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