At Crowan Primary School we believe the ability to spell with confidence and accuracy is an essential skill. Spelling is a complex process which draws upon a specific working knowledge of patterns within the English language. The ability to spell is an aid to understanding and meaning. Children who are able to employ a good range of spelling strategies and techniques will attempt more complex or technical words to express their ideas.
We believe that:-
- Children need to be active in developing their own spelling strategies.
- Effective spellers will use a number of strategies in order to spell accurately.
- The exploration of words and vocabulary development are part of learning to spell.
- Independence and self-evaluation are essential in the development of spelling.
- To enable all pupils to become confident, accurate spellers.
- To enrich and support learning through the use and application of spelling skills.
- To ensure continuity and progression through a consistent whole school approach to the teaching of spelling.
Our Objectives:
- To ensure that spelling is seen as purposeful activity.
- To enable children to gain a clear understanding of the structure and features associated with spelling.
- To enable the children to make plausible attempts at unfamiliar words.
- To support children in being able to choose the appropriate spelling within different contexts.
- To encourage children to understand the importance of checking the accuracy of their own spelling, identify and then correcting errors.
- To enable children to use dictionary skills to support their knowledge of different spellings.
- To ensure that all teachers have a sound subject knowledge and high expectations of what children can achieve.
- To enable children to enjoy the process of spelling.
Teaching and Learning:
- Teaching is well paced and engaging, based on a clear understanding of the objectives.
- There is a clear progression in the teaching of spelling across the school.
- The opportunities for spelling are based upon a variety of stimuli and experiences, taking into account the visual, auditory and kinaesthetic needs of the children.
In the Foundation Stage, Year 1 and Year 2, spelling is closely linked to the ‘Read, Write, Inc’ Programme. Children in Key Stage 1 and 2 also follow the Nelson Spelling scheme. Children are assessed regularly to ensure their spellings are matched to the judgement they are currently assessed at.
Spelling is taught both inside and outside of the daily literacy lessons in the following ways:-
Shared Reading – Finding patterns and examples. Reminders of spelling patterns previously taught. Incidental words of interest.
Shared Writing – Constructing words from phonemes. Modelling strategies to construct unknown words.
Word Level Work – Learning spelling rules. Investigating spelling patterns. Learning spelling strategies.
Guided Writing – Applying strategies to unknown words. Personal guidance about specific spelling difficulties.
Handwriting – Spelling patterns and conventions are often reinforced in handwriting sessions where appropriate.
Home School Links - We believe that parents and carers should be made aware of their child’s targets and actively involved. Parents are encouraged to help their child learn spellings and the corresponding rules.
