Spelling Magazine

A selection of
useful
resources
Spelling

This book by Diane Snowball & Faye Bolton shows how schools can
put systematic teaching in place without compromising the principles
of constructivist learning.
Spelling K-8 assists teachers with:
• understanding current beliefs about teaching and learning
and means of translating these into classroom practice
• implementing specific types of spelling investigations by
clearly outlining the general process involved in spelling
explorations
• identifying possible spelling focuses at each grade level
• relating the teaching of spelling to reading and writing
experiences in a variety of curriculum areas
• knowing the generalisations children need to learn to
enable them to understand how written English works.
1999

Spelling it Out is based on Misty Adoniou’s extensive
research into spelling learning and instruction.
Adoniou explains how English spelling is not just random, but
is a system based on meaning and a fascinating history of
words in English.
She encourages teachers and students to cultivate a curiosity
about words, discover their history and build an
understanding behind the way they are spelled.
This text is based on the belief that good spelling is the result
of good teaching. Features include:
• How words work
• How humans learn to spell
• Planning a spelling program
• Assessment of spelling.
2016

Guiding Thinking For Effective Spelling (2 nd Edition)
explains practical ways to assess students’ spelling
needs and implement a consistent, supportive spelling
approach across the school at all primary levels.
Author’s Topfer & Arenft base their book on modern
research into spelling and effective teaching.
Chapters include:
• ideas for developing a word conscious
classroom
• guiding students’ strategic thinking about
spelling
• actively recording students’ learning through
the use of Word Study Notebooks.
2017

The Effective Spelling suite of resources for Foundation to Year 6
expand on the approach to the teaching of spelling outlined in
Guiding Thinking For Effective Spelling (2 nd Edition). It is designed to
support teachers develop effective, competent spellers who are
curious about words.
The authors present an inquiry approach and provide a structure for
a learning sequence based on the gradual release of responsibly.
The following five key spelling strategies are explored – Sound,
Visual, Meaning, Connecting and Checking.
Each chapter outlies:
• key knowledge teachers need in order to teach the Big Idea
with confidence
• how the Big Idea links to the Australian Curriculum English
• ways to determine where students are at in their learning
• ideas for differentiation
• how to measure the impact of the learning sequence
• suggestions on where to take the learning next.

The book Letter Lessons and First Words: Phonics
Foundations That Work provides a research-based vision of
what engaging differentiated, sequential and explicit phonics
instruction can look like.
Mesmer provides basic information about how the English
system of writing works which is vital knowledge if teachers
are going to be effective in their teaching.
A clear scops and sequence of what to teach, and a quick
assessment that enables teachers to place students in the
appropriate unit of instruction is included.
Videos show students working with letters, words, and books
at various stages of their learning.
Practical activities are also described.
2019

Palmer & Invernizzi present teaching practices that do
not rely on or use one-size-fits-all approach.
The book digs into:
• assessment of word knowledge
• differentiation
• myths about English spelling
• critical practices for word study
• links between spelling and vocabulary
• deep engagement with words.
2015

This book focuses on the impact of politics on literacy
policy and practice.
The authors claim that ideology is trumping the
evidence so that synthetic phonics adherents are
ignoring the research and the successes of the
teaching in many classrooms.
There are four contributors from the United Kingdom
and three from Australia.
2017

This hands-on guide to word study instruction provides
Grades K- 6 engaging and easily implemented
approaches for making phonemic awareness, phonics,
spelling, and vocabulary instruction come alive in any
classroom.
Word Study That Sticks connects research with
experience and offers practical and innovative lessons
to introduce new vocabulary.
Koutrakos has pulled together the most popular and
effective word study techniques while also
emphasising the importance of student choice,
engagement, and collaboration.
2018

Offers a systematic, teacher-directed, childcentered
plan that provides a complete word study
curriculum to motivate and engage students while
helping them to succeed in literacy learning.
2020

Richard Gentry breaks down preconceptions and misconceptions
about how kids learn to spell, making new connections between
orthography and literacy.
Underpinned by his research, he offers techniques and insights
that will support lesson planning, including ways to:
• identify, through spelling, what level of emergent writing a
student has attained
• use scaffolding, hand and finger spelling, letter boxes,
and other instructional devices appropriately
• manage word lists and word sorts
• differentiate spelling instruction and assessment
• evaluate spelling books and find alternatives to traditional
spelling resources
• teach phonemic awareness and phonics through spelling.
2004

Words Their Way is a hands-on, developmentally-driven approach
to word study that illustrates how to integrate and teach children
phonics, vocabulary, and spelling skills.
The new sixth edition offers a collection of classroom activities
sequenced to help students build the skills they need to move on
to the next developmental stage.
New classroom footage shows teachers using word study at all
stages of development, including English Learners and PreK-K
and secondary students.
Prepared word sorts and games for each stage are provided to
help teachers get started with word study in their classrooms.
A Create Your Own feature allows teachers to modify and create
sorts specific to the needs of their students.
Assessment Tools included show teachers how to monitor
students’ progress throughout the year.
2020