Start with the teaching sequence
Choose a sound–letter relationship, spelling pattern or meaningful word part that fits what the class is learning. A short routine can sit within the wider spelling lesson. AERO’s writing review supports explicit, systematic spelling instruction; repeated testing alone does not provide the explanation students need.
Select a few words that let students apply the taught focus and revisit familiar learning. Keep the reading demands and vocabulary suitable for the class. Explain the meaning of unfamiliar words so the activity is about spelling a word students understand.
Model the connection
For a class ready to study meaningful word parts, compare help, helpful and unhelpful. Show the base help, discuss how the added parts change the meaning, and point out which letters remain. Explain that this particular word family illustrates a connection; it is not a rule for spelling every unfamiliar word.
Build another example with students. Ask them to identify the base and explain a spelling choice before attempting a suitable word independently. In a lesson focused on sounds, model how to segment the spoken word and connect the sounds with the letter patterns already taught.
Listen, attempt and inspect
Say the word naturally, use it in a sentence and allow time for an independent written attempt. After students respond, show and discuss the correct spelling. Keep their actual responses so you can distinguish a difficulty with the taught pattern from an unfamiliar word or a missed instruction.
Ask a student how they chose the spelling and check another example before generalising. Similar incorrect answers can have different explanations. Use the evidence to plan another model, guided practice or a smaller word set.
Revisit and check independent writing
Return to selected words in a later lesson, alongside a suitable new word using the taught pattern. Look for the same knowledge in an original sentence or subject writing. Explain the pattern again where students still need help.
Spelling Boost personal rematches provide another attempt at missed words. A successful rematch shows a practice result; the product records retention after a correct answer on another task at least seven days later. Use later writing and new examples too when considering transfer. The original spelling task score stays unchanged.
