8/3/2019 Year 2 Semester Two Spelling Parent Letter

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February 8th

, 2012

Year 2 - Spelling

Dear Parents and Carers,

Since the beginning of the year, the Year 2 teaching team have spent time discussing

the spelling development of students across the year level and explored best practice in

supporting this.

There are 3 important components to our spelling programme

1. Students will learn common letter patterns used in spelling. Within thehomeroom, students learn to look closely at letter groups within a word to learn spelling

patterns. For example, when they study long a patterns students explore and discover the

following long a patterns, eg. same, pain, play, eight.

2. Students will learn to spell High Frequency words automatically. Often these words are notphonetic, e.g. who, you. A range of strategies to assist with memorizing words is needed so

that these words become effortless to write accurately during the writing process. Your

childs teacher will give your child an individualized set of words. When these words can be

written in a snap a new set of words will be assigned. Some activities to support in their

memorizing of these words will include:

y Using magnetic letters to make the wordy Making the words with play doughy Playing memory games will word cardsy Rainbow writing - use a different coloured pencil for each letter of a wordy Tracing the wordy Look, say, make, cover, write and check with a spelling buddy.y Finding the word in print in a variety of places.3. Students will gradually develop a spelling consciousness. This means that as students

become more aware of words and patterns, they will become more aware of correct spelling

and therefore more observant of print errors in their environment. This is an essential

component of becoming a good speller.

Home Support

Following are some suggestions of ways you can support your childs writing development

(specifically spelling) at home. This is not compulsory, however, you can include this in your home

program if you wish. When completing the Reading Response homework task consider trying these

ideas.

1

.

To support the learning of common letter patterns

If your child is attempting to write a new word, have them write it down. Possible language:

Use all that you know about letters, sounds, and patterns, and work out the best spelling

you can of the word. After the first attempt, have them write the word two other ways

their best attempts. Then have them look at the three attempts and circle the one that

looks right. After going through this process, students often come up with the correct

spelling. If they dont you can use this as a teaching moment and show them the correct

way.

2. To support the automatic recall of high frequency words

8/3/2019 Year 2 Semester Two Spelling Parent Letter

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If the word your child is attempting is one of their high frequency words, have them first try

to write the word three different ways, circle the one that looks right, and then check the

word on a word chart. This activity will accomplish three spelling goals: raising spelling

consciousness, developing the use of references, and building a stronger visual memory.

3. To support the development of spelling consciousnessIf your child identifies any misspelt words in the environment (eg. Books, signs, labels,

newsletters ), please encourage them to take a photo or bring the example to school to

share.

Attached is a list of words that your child will be working on over this semester. This is for you and

your child to reference at home and is not a spelling list that you need to teach your child. The

formal teaching of these words will be done at school. It is important not to correct your childs

spelling every time they write as it becomes disheartening. Instead, correct errors when spelling is

your main focus.

Thank you for your continued support.

Warm regards,

The Year 2 teaching team