Which way to spell a sound?

Which way to spell a sound?

I have been extremely busy recently tweaking my program, including updating and extending the pdf file “Which way to spell a sound”. This lists various ways that different sounds can be spelled. Most of these ways to spell the sounds have been taught directly in Gilead^® Success with Phonics, the other few in notes for parents and teachers or in more advanced word lists that some children may not see. It made me realise how much the program has grown and how extensive it now is. The list, “Which way to spell a sound”, forms a summary of all (well most anyway) that has been taught in Gilead^® Success with Phonics.

The program starts with the simple and progresses to the more complex. This is important so children can build confidence and understanding. If you try to start with a list like “Which way to spell a sound” and try to teach all of the ways that a sound can be spelled from the beginning, children can easily be overwhelmed and confused. Developing skills gradually with a logical sequence and plenty of practice builds confidence and competence and ensures that there are no gaps in a child’s knowledge.

When learning something new, such as a new spelling pattern

• learn words with that spelling pattern together
• associate them with an easy word  with that pattern
• make up a memory aid for anything tricky
• and don’t try to learn more than one new pattern at a time.

Click here to download the pdf file  Which way to spell a sound

Remember, there will be some local variation in pronunciation and spelling. For example, in the US you can hear /r/ in “er” and “ar”, and centre is spelled center.

I’ll post more on some other things that I have been updating over the coming weeks.

For those in Tasmania, enjoy the school holidays.