Start Here

The spelling lessons on this website are targeted at specific spelling rules and patterns. They assume you have some knowledge of students’ individual learning needs in spelling.

As they are so specific, these lessons are not intended for whole-class use. Ideally, they will work with small groups who are not yet proficient with a particular rule or pattern.

When used correctly and informed by data, the downloadable lessons on this site should help you tailor a spelling program that is differentiated and relevant to the needs of a wide range of learners.

Getting Started

This is a suggested method for getting started in using these lessons. You might find something else that works for you.

1. Assess students. Use a spelling test that allows you to be diagnostic: that is, a test that allows you to identify the specific rules/patterns a student is struggling with. There are plenty of excellent tests on the market. I like to use the Single Word Spelling Test or the New Group Spelling Test, both by GL Assessment.
   I’ll put links to more testing options in the Assessing Spelling section sometime soon.
2. Analyse results. Look at students incorrect spellings and pay attention to where exactly they’re having trouble. Many assessment tools will include advice on how to do this in their documentation and user guides. I’ve also put together some tips here: Analysing Spelling Errors.
3. Select a relevant lesson. You may want to group students based on their needs. When choosing a starting point, look at some of the student’s more “simple” errors. If you start too high, students will not feel that the work is achievable and will disengage: if a child can’t spell a compound word like football, it is unlikely they will have much luck learning a more complex word like disingenuous.
   A good way to measure if a lesson is too easy is to get the student/s to complete the Do Now activity at the beginning of the lesson. These activities introduce students to the rule/pattern and give examples of its use. If a student can easily spell all the words in this introductory activity, you may need to try a more challenging lesson.

Click here to view all spelling rule/pattern lessons.

Click here to see lessons organised into Victorian Curriculum levels.