The complete experience of learning to spell has many components; some are broad, whilst others are carefully focused on detail.
An essential component of learning to spell is real writing – writing for many purposes and for different audiences. It is through writing that knowledge of spelling is both developed and put to use. In writing the learner crafts, drafts and edits, referring as needed to word-bank, dictionary or spell-checker. This broad area of spelling experience is essential.
Just as essential is attention to all the fine details of words. This is where StarSpell fits in. It contributes to the detailed, close study of the mechanisms of spelling.
This study has two strands:
- Direct teaching of what to learn, and ways in which to learn it; and
- Generous and varied practice to consolidate that learning.
StarSpell is a resource that supports both strands.
StarSpell 3.1 is newly-released and is available now. This new version of StarSpell supports and extends the statutory requirements for English Spelling of the National Curriculum in England 2014, with the addition of new word lists and hundreds of new words, contextual sentences and images. StarSpell also has a phonics section which supports the English Letters and Sounds programme. The screen layout is ideal for the Interactive Whiteboard as well as PCs. With graded Spelling lists, printable worksheets and topic lists for exam preparation, StarSpell is suitable for all ages, and great for dyslexics and SEN.
To find out more, or to order StarSpell, please click here.
You can purchase and install StarSpell for your school online. There is no need to pay up-front; an invoice and installation link will be sent to you in e-mail when your order is approved.
For further reading, the StarSpell Guide to Spelling aims to demystify how spelling is learned. It shows smart ways to help learners, both using StarSpell and with activities away from the computer, and includes 29 sample classroom sessions. You can read it here.