SMART Words

Smart Words is a Word Study / Spelling program based on the most current research into how spelling develops. The program develops phonemic awareness, spelling knowledge/skills and teaches strategies. It integrates with process writing, reading, vocabulary extension, writing skills and provides a user friendly, total word study program.

The program begins with the foundation skills including auditory, visual motor, language and memory skills leading into the next stage of learning which introduces the sound/name symbol relationship and then the necessary skills and strategies for competent spelling.

How do Teachers determine what level students are at?

Teachers….

1. carry out the ‘Placement Test’.
2. identify Instructional Learning Point – Level at which children cannot spell the combination of words. C06 etc.
3. keep a record of each child’s instructional level.
4. Group children according to their instructional level.
5. retest after 6 months

 

How is spelling taught?

DAY 1 – Introducing the words in the group.

• Teachers will discuss the meanings, opposites, synonyms, homonyms, extensions, derivations, origins, visual and auditory patterns, words within words, etc. TALK TALK TALK
• The discussion will be written on large bits of paper, which can be used for future reference.
• Students carry out a Say, Sound, Spell, Write, Check on their words
• Students to write each word in a sentence, find the dictionary definition, etc.

 

DAY 2 – Working with word meanings – words within sentences, matching meanings, dictionary definitions, using words in sentences, answering questions, etc.

• Often the Day 2 worksheet is completed
• A range of spelling activities developing meaning is presented.

 

Day 3 – Working with extensions – Comparatives/Superlatives, Breaking into syllables, Singular/Plural, Building words, nouns/verbs/adjectives, prefixes/suffixes, etc.

• Complete Day 3 worksheet

 

Day 4 – Using the knowledge / strategies

 

It is imperative that students have experiences using words other than those in the list. The list is but a tool to teach skills, not words, and those skills must be practised frequently and used often in many different settings.

 

Teachers will incorporate Integrated Studies words, words from their writing that they are spelling incorrectly, etc.

 

The organisation of Smart Words within each classroom may vary. For example, not all teachers will include the worksheets but substitute hands on activities.

 

 

What happens to students who are brilliant spellers?

 

Students will complete revision activities from the Smart Words manuals to ensure retainment. Spelling words will come from an Integrated Studies challenge lists & from words that they are spelling incorrectly in their writing.

 

Many other resources and activities to be utilised to broaden knowledge/skills

 

What can parents do to support the spelling program?

The following activities are recommended:

 

·         Practise the spelling rule that comes home with your child. Devise games like memory, snap, etc.

·         If there is no rule, ask your child what was discussed in class.

·       Find the opposite words to the list

·         Find synonyms to words on the list.

·         Make list of other words that follow the rule.

·         Find a word that goes against the rule

·         Write each word in a sentence

·         Write all the words in one meaningful paragraph.

·         Find the list words in magazines, newspapers, posters, etc.

·         Practise spelling out the words on the way home from school.

·         Use playdo to create the words in 3D

·         Type up the words on a computer

·         See how many words can be typed or written in 30 seconds.

·         Find the dictionary meaning

·         Find out where the words originate from

·         Add a prefix to the word and discuss

·         Add suffixes onto the word and discuss

·         Use the letters within words to create anew word.

·         Group the words into nouns/verbs/adjectives, etc.

·         Find a word that has the same letters but different sounds E.g moon, root, blood, etc.

·         Complete a spelling challenge from the newspaper

·         Create a crossword using the words on the list.

 

Play any spelling game for fun E.g Boggle

 

 

‘The Language and Literacy Learning in Schools’ article outlines instructional approaches to spelling. A copy can be collected from Mrs Reiss-Stone if you are interested in finding out more! 

Further information on the SMART Words program can be located on the website at www.smartstarters.com.au