Spell Signs

SPELL SIGNS is a system that is used to complement any good literacy teaching program.

Using a set of 20 gestures and written “mark-up” symbols, students systematically and explicitly explore everything from sounds, vowel types (long, short), affixes, syllable types and spelling conventions (such as Every Syllable has a Vowel, Magic E/ Bossy E.)

SPELL SIGNS will assist all students in using and recognising the building blocks of words for both encoding (spelling) and decoding (sounding out).

Kids and teachers love SPELL SIGNS!

“I can’t believe how the students have embraced the signs and how it’s really helping their learning.” Larissa, Teacher, Orbost North Primary School.

“The signs and symbols just make so much sense. They make the parts of words – and what we are targeting so clear. I really love using them”. Tina, Teacher, Bruthen Primary School.

“I love the hammer sign. I know what you’re talking about now!” Emily, student.

Using SPELL SIGNS, the “lingo of literacy” is suddenly more easy to comprehend. This is why it is a system that is BRILLIANT for students struggling with literacy learning or who have language difficulties.

The SPELL SIGNS system:

• promotes consistency in terminology used within literacy programming in schools
• assists students in developing phonological awareness, morphological awareness and orthographic knowledge
• works in with the Achievement Standards set by the Australian Curriculum (Version 8)
• is particularly good for students who are overwhelmed by the “lingo of literacy”.

The SPELL SIGNS resource comes on a USB flashdrive card. It contains:

• Teaching clips so YOU can learn the gestures and mark-up symbols – and how to use them
• Clips of students using SPELL SIGNS (from early to more advanced)
• Loads of wordlists and worksheets to be used in Word Study and Phonics sessions
• A comprehensive manual that steps you through using SPELL SIGNS

SPELL SIGNS is based on the premise that knowledge must be systematically built up and built upon. For example, you can’t learn quickly apply the rule “Every Syllable Has A Vowel” if you have not mastered segmentation of syllables and if you are still unsure of what vowels are.

Want to spend a day learning SPELL SIGNS?

Participants can then run training in their own services/ schools.