Download P-8 Spelling Program - Redeemer Lutheran College, Biloela

P-8 SPELLING PROGRAM
Redeemer Lutheran College’s Spelling Program has been developed from the “Australian Spelling Program (ASP)”. ASP
was developed by Jan Roberts, a primary and secondary trained educator with many years of experience. The methods
and content which make up this program are based on empirical research findings and are aligned with the Australian
National Curriculum.
This approach to spelling was adopted by Redeemer in 2016, after analysis of student results in 2015 concluded that a
review of the way that spelling was taught at Redeemer would be beneficial. After considered consultation and discussion
surrounding how to best cater for our students, the Australian Spelling Program (ASP) was chosen as the approach for our
school.
Apart from being aligned with the Australian Curriculum, the other major benefits of this program are the opportunities
that it presents for students operating at, below or above year level expectations and that it includes the teaching of
phonics, sightwords (high frequency words) and spelling rules. The program also has a very strong multi-sensory
approach, meaning that children are given a variety of ways to immerse themselves with spelling rules. This multisensory
approach has been found to be particularly helpful for students with learning difficulties.
All the elements of our spelling program are equally important. The learning of spelling rules however, allows the learner
to work at their developmental level, applying the rules, to spell the vocabulary they are using at that point in time.
Knowledge and understanding of spelling rules allows students to spell or attempt new vocabulary in multiple writing
contexts. The transference of these rules to different contexts is evidence of a competent speller.
Redeemer Lutheran College’s Spelling program requires that P-6 and Year 7 and 8 English teachers provide weekly a single
year level list of spelling words which all children are exposed to. This ensures that all children have equal access to year
level content which is assessed in standardized testing like NAPLAN. Somewhat like the Three Bears from Goldilocks some
students will find these words challenging, others too easy and others just right.
For P-6 students spelling practice of weekly word lists is completed daily in every class. Teachers cater for the students’
different abilities through the spelling exploration activities completed in class. How students work and interact with
these words, is tailored in a way that differentiates their learning needs. If a student is challenged by spelling the number
of words on a list may also be reduced.
Teachers make the spelling list available to students and parents via homework but spelling practice is not a compulsory
element of our homework program. However, if spelling is something that you would like to do with your child at home to
further consolidate their learning, this is something that we encourage. Any opportunity students have to immerse
themselves with language and vocabulary, the greater the long term benefits are for them. For students who find this
practice difficult or who are hard to engage, a multi-sensory approach is recommended. Using alphabet blocks, writing in
sand, rice or shaving cream, using paintbrushes in water, rainbow writing etc are all ways that may encourage otherwise
reluctant students to practice words and provide them with a visual picture of the word. For students who are
comfortable with the spelling of their weekly words, this practice could look different in that they may be exploring word
meanings and definitions, finding synonyms and antonyms for words, identifying origins of words, adding prefixes and
suffixes etc.
Application of learning is a positive indicator of learning. It is our responsibility to provide students with the opportunity to
learn to spell words, but the real value for us, comes from knowing that children learn to understand and know these
words well enough that they may be able to apply this knowledge to new vocabulary and in written texts.
The staff are more than willing to assist you with ways to make spelling practice at home relevant for your child’s
developmental level.