Overview
Effective Spelling is underpinned by a holistic and inquiry-based learning approach to spelling. The whole-school series is designed to support teachers to foster a culture of word noticing, transforming students into curious thinkers and effective, competent spellers. Each component explicitly aligns with the Australian Curriculum: English and offers educators flexible learning pathways.
Each Teaching Guide:
- comprises ten Big Ideas chapters, each with a key spelling focus
- presents inquiry-based sample learning sequences demonstrating a best-practice teaching routine, which can be adapted for many spelling concepts
- includes activities to support students' understandings of key spelling concepts
- incorporates the key spelling strategies: Sound, Visual, Meaning, Connecting and Checking
- includes thrice yearly Spelling Big Ideas Inventory Assessments (Year 1 to 6), and pre and post assessments for each learning sequence
- demonstrates how to incorporate rich literature into spelling instruction, and includes lists of recommended books that can be used to support student learning
About Effective SpellingEffective Spelling is a suite of resources designed to support teachers to develop effective, competent spellers who are curious about words and how they are connected.
- Suited for years Foundation – 6
- Includes teacher resources and student workbooks
- Uses an inquiry approach, where meaning is at the centre of learning
- Demonstrates spelling and vocabulary learning across curriculum areas
- Uses the gradual release of responsibility model
Introduction
Spelling Scope and Sequence: Pre-Foundation – Year Two
Big Idea 1: Rhyme
Big Idea 2: Alliteration
Big Idea 3: Manipulating Sounds in Words
Big Idea 4: Using Names to Introduce Letter–Sound Relationships
Big Idea 5: Letter–Sound Relationships
Big Idea 6: Onset and Rime
Big Idea 7: Digraphs
Big Idea 8: Vowels and Consonants
Big Idea 9: Words Are Made of Meaningful Parts (Morphemes)
Big Idea 10: High-Frequency Words
Assessments and Recording Sheets
Teacher Resource Sheets
Blackline Masters (BLMs)
Glossary
References
Christine is currently working as an education consultant. She has previously worked as a school leader, literacy coach, early childhood teacher and university lecturer, and has authored a number of publications. Christine has led literacy action research projects in reading comprehension and writing. She has presented nationally and internationally in a range of areas, including spelling, writing, reading comprehension, early years literacy and leading literacy improvement in schools. Christine was awarded ALEA life membership in 2009; the AITSL Award for Excellence in Teaching and School Leadership in 2013 and the Australian Professional Teachers Association Meritorious Contribution to the Profession Award in 2013.
Emma Warren and Bethany Woolnough are experienced primary school teachers from Hobart, Tasmania. They currently share a double unit and specialise in team teaching. Emma and Bethany are active ALEA local council members and have presented on spelling and inquiry at both a state and national level. Bethany and Emma consult and mentor a number of teachers from around the state and have a passion for inquiry and play-based learning.