Spelling

In KS2 we have adapted the Emile Spelling Scheme. By using this scheme, we know that our teaching of spelling covers all the National Curriculum requirements for Key Stage 2.

Our lessons follow the same weekly format throughout the key stage to ensure that children and staff know how learning is structured. This format aligns closely with how phonics and spellings are taught in EYFS and KS1 following the Little Wandle programme.

Spelling lessons are taught daily with a specific weekly focus. Children are not expected to memorise word lists off by heart, rather they are to focus on a rule for that week. Low stakes quizzing and retrieval allows children to build confidence through repeated practice of taught rules.

Weekly Lesson Format:

Wednesday retrieval sessions will look the same across the school and will contain the following 5 elements:

1. This week's learning
   2. This week's learning
   3. Earlier learning
   4. Y3/4 or Y5/6 statutory word
   5. Correct the misspelling

Thursday dictation progression will look as follows:

Y3: 1–2 sentences.

Y4: 2 sentences.

Y5: 2–3 sentences.

Y6: perhaps 2–3 increasingly sophisticated sentences.

Sentences do not need to be overly long, we are only assessing whether children can hold their spelling knowledge in their head whilst writing a sentence.

You can use the format:

current spelling + previous spelling + statutory word + appropriate grammar/punctuation.

Friday spelling checks will consist of 10 questions:

Questions 1 – 4 check of words taught and studied this week.

Questions 5 and 6 applying this week’s rule/pattern to unfamiliar words

Questions 7 and 8 will be previous spelling learning

Questions 9 and 10 will be statutory words.

When asking children to proofread work and check spellings, we will use the strategies below:

When I'm unsure how to spell a word...

1. SAY IT
   What sounds can I hear?
2. THINK
   Do I know a spelling pattern that could help?
3. BREAK IT
   Can I find a base word, prefix or suffix?
4. CONNECT IT
   Do I know a related word?
5. CHECK IT
   Does it look right? Can I check it?

Additional Practice:

Children have access to learning and practice activities on the Emile App. These can be assigned by teachers for children to practice in their own time.

There are also paper based resources available for children to access as well. These include crosswords, ‘Look, cover, say, write, check’ sheets and missing word activities.

Supporting pupils with SEND

Pupils with SEND receive spelling practice that is matched to the phonic phase they are currently working within. These pupils continue to access the whole-class spelling lesson wherever appropriate, so that they are exposed to age-related spelling patterns, vocabulary and word structures; however, their individual spelling practice and assessment focuses on securing the grapheme–phoneme correspondences and spelling patterns identified through phonics assessment. As phonic knowledge becomes secure, pupils progressively move through the phases and towards age-related spelling expectations. The priority addresses underlying gaps in spelling knowledge.

auto_fix_high