Description

Spelling and Phonics – Investigating word features and functions: Set 1

There are many different spelling rules in English.  This resource is designed to help students uncover the patterns and rules. By understanding how words are constructed, students can use this knowledge to problem solve when reading and writing. It moves the student beyond recall, to become a word solver.  Traditional resources gave students the rules to learn, using this process students become active in the creation of spelling rules.

Using this resource students can uncover

• The role syllables play in words and spelling
• Rhyming words and how these patterns can be used to read or write new words
• Homographs and homophones
• Trap words
• Silent letters
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• CVC and other patterns
• Tricky spelling patterns at the ends of words
• Ending blends
• Compound words
• Contractions
• Double and triple consonant blends
• Vowel blends

‘Investigating Consonants’ can be used in conjunction with Words Their Way.

Understanding the key features or attributes of words can help spellers make informed decisions and problem solve when reading and writing. This resource is designed to

• Support inquiries into vowels and the related  patterns in words
• Support learners’ understanding of how words are constructed
• Develop an awareness of the key features and attributes when spelling words
• Become a word solver
• Support a developing understanding that spelling is more than decoding, it plays a part in the communication process

One of the skills of using written communication is spelling. Being able to spell ensures that there is a common way for written ideas to be shared and received. But do our learners appreciate this is why they ‘learn to spell’? Without an appreciation or understanding of how spelling supports communication lessons and inquiries focusing on spelling are meaningless or irrelevant.

Exploring spelling can be more than just memorising words; it can be an exciting inquiry into patterns, history, connections and code breaking within a transdisciplinary context. Every subject has a coded language that describes its ideas, context, function and history. Language inquiries can become rich links across subjects and can also support transdisciplinary connections. Using this transdisciplinary language can open up word and spelling inquiries and move away from irrelevant memory lists and fragmented learning.