How we Teach Spelling and Grammar SPAG
To give pupils the knowledge and the strategies required to become confident writers and accurate spellers – understanding the English language and importance of grammar.
Spelling at Victoria School is taught from the spellings rules and key word lists as set out in the National Curriculum. We use the Read, Write, Inc Spelling programme to teach spelling explicitly but the teaching of spelling is threaded throughout our curriculum.
We use Twinkl’s sequence of key words/spelling rules as a guide to structuring and organising teacher’s planning of spelling. We do not deviate away from this sequence of lessons so to guarantee consistency and coverage. Pupils in the Infant phase interweave their list of key words, their First Words into the sequence.
At Key Stage 2, we use Skills Builders, CGP books and Twinkl resources to supplement and support the lessons sequenced below – teachers across both Key Stages use their professional judgement as to when it is necessary to supplement their spelling teaching but don’t take anything out.
Spelling is practiced by all pupils on Spelling Shed. Spellings are taught in context and additional resources such as word searches and sentence construction which can be set via Dojo as homework or as in class tasks – whether via Dojo or printed as paper resources.
At the end of each half term, a spelling screening check is carried out by testing pupils on each spelling they have practiced that half term. Results are recorded on pupil profile sheets in their white folders.
In Key Stage 1, grammar is taught using the Twinkl Spelling Scheme. We have weekly grammar sessions for those children in year 2 who have passed their phonics screening in year 1. Those that have not passed or not taken the phonics screening test yet, have phonics sessions instead and their grammar is embedded through their Power of Reading lessons. We use Headstart assessments at the relevant check points.
In Key Stage 2, grammar is taught using Skills Builders and CGP SPAG. Each year group as a grammar and punctuation book which has their year groups grammar and punctuation objectives listed and covered with a breadth of writing practice activities. Teachers use baseline assessment as a starting point and resources can be used from lower down school to meet gaps in learning. All teachers can use their professional judgement when deciding to supplement the Skills Builders lessons. On-going formative assessment in pupils independent writing and interweaving with the Literacy and Language programme determines the sequence of lessons for each class.
