Dear Parents                                    Monday 3 March 2014

Just a wee note to accompany the introduction of our new spelling programme STEPs and to clarify any questions or concerns you may have.  The children were all individually tested last week using an oral programme on the computer (a new experience for many of our children). 

Their results were then analysed and a starting point for each learner is given based on their individual:

• Phonological Awareness (all 6 elements)
• Visual perception
• Sequencing
• Memory - visual, kinaesthetic and auditory
• Motor development

These groupings are very fluid and will be subject to change.

The children will now have 10 words each week to learn at home.  This is supported in the classroom directly with worksheets and a wide variety of computer activities that reinforce the rule or pattern that is the focus for that week.   These will be written out on a Monday and tested along with Basic Facts on a Friday.

The aim of the programme is to teach the skills of spelling and what to do when you hear a new word you do not know how to spell for e.g. the word ‘kinaesthetic’.  When you hear this ‘new’ word you need to use your existing knowledge of sound, pattern and spelling rules (when one or more vowels are put together) to even attempt to spell the word.   Then you use your visual memory and existing knowledge of letter sequencing and patterns to decide if this looks right!  Then you need to decide if this is one of those exceptions to the rule words!

Learning to spell is not just about choosing a list of 10 of the most complex or large words we can find in the dictionary as this would aim to expand students vocabulary not build upon their existing knowledge of language and its many features to help them decode and spell new words.  Mastering all the rules and patterns that stem from the simplest form so the knowledge can be applied to the most complex.

Please come in and have a look at the STEPs programme in action.   It is a large and exciting system that takes us several weeks to get up and running with all its many facets to support learning, but the long term positive learning experienced by the students is worth it.

Any further questions please pop in and have a chat.

Thanks Trish and Ros.