Spelling

At Seaside, we recognise that spelling is a fundamental and multifaceted life skill that can boost a child’s self confidence and ability to communicate effectively. Learning to spell requires attention to detail and the ability to think critically about word structures, phonetics and language rules, which also encourages deep thinking and problem solving skills to develop.

Spelling is intrinsically linked to all areas of literacy. For example, when children can recognise the spelling of words, it aids reading comprehension and fluency. Within writing, vocabulary plays a huge part in developing writing skills. As children learn to spell new words, they often learn their meaning and usage too. This contributes to vocabulary development, which in turn enables children to express themselves more effectively.

To teach spelling at Seaside, we use the Read, Write, Inc. (RWI) spelling programme. This comprehensive programme teaches children the fundamental rules of spelling using a variety of interactive tasks alongside teacher-led activities and home practice. Every two weeks, children learn a new spelling rule (relevant to their age and phase in school) and apply this rule in a variety of spelling focused activities over a two-week cycle. These activities take place in school daily.

Children are given a RWI Spelling Log Book, which goes to and from school daily, in which they are encouraged to practise their spellings at home. We ask that parents/guardians oversee this practice, to interact with their child’s spelling learning process.

Running alongside the RWI spelling programme, children practise their Spelling Quest words, which are a collection of words that children need to know at different stages of their schooling. These can be found on our website here  https://www.seaside.w-sussex.sch.uk/spelling-quest-1/. and in the RWI Spelling Log books mentioned above.

Spelling Quest is an exciting learning journey, which is celebrated at Seaside. At each level the children are awarded with certificates and badges for completing the spelling levels as they travel through their spelling quest. The advantage of the Spelling Quest words is the fact that the words will never change! So, with determination, resilience and practice, the children can improve their Spelling Quest Score every term. This motivates the children to learn their spellings and move through the different levels to earn their awards, while boosting their confidence and skills.

Seaside Spelling Quest

At Seaside we are passionate about spelling and helping children to succeed as learning to spell can be a highly complex business! We believe that spelling must be made fun, enjoyable and interesting as children only really become good at spelling by repeatedly practising and this is best done in fun and interesting ways.

To ensure that children enjoy the challenge of spelling, Seaside Primary have created a new spelling scheme, called ‘Seaside Spelling Quest’. The ‘Spelling Quest’ encourages the children from Key Stage 1 and 2 to go on a spelling journey through different adventurous and mystical locations. These locations are divided into levels:

Key Stage 1

Quest Level 1 – Map Mountains, Compass Caves and Pirates’ Port where you can collect a silver coin for the onward journey.

Quest Level 2 – Cutlass Cabin, Parrots Paradise and finally the last destination - the Tremendous Treasure to collect a golden coin!

Key Stage 2

Quest Level 1 - Bronze Beach, Silver Birchwood, Golden Galleon

Quest Level 2 - Ruby River, Emerald City and finally the end destination -Diamond Dynasty!

To reach each level, the children need to learn a set of words (these are based on the statutory word list provided in the new curriculum). The lists are a mixture of words pupils frequently use in their writing and those which they often misspell. Some of the listed words may be thought of as quite challenging, but all the words in each list are taught over a two year period and alongside other words that teachers consider appropriate.

Every half term, the children will take the ‘Quest Spelling Quiz’ to achieve spelling rewards which will move them through the levels, locations and gain them great awards and badges! Parents will be notified of the termly score in the back of the spelling books, so children can continue to work on the words at home.

The advantage of the ‘Spelling Quest Word Lists’ is the fact that the words will never change! So with determination, resilience and practice the children can improve their ‘Spelling Quest Score’ every half term! This motivates the children each half term to learn their spellings and move through the different locations to earn their awards.

Please see the Spelling Quest Word Lists below to help support your child on their spelling adventure!