Spelling through Inquiry is essentially a thinking process that requires learners to notice patterns in words, make connections and draw conclusions about words. It is an approach that draws upon the Inquiry Learning cycle to build student's skills and understanding in using the 5 key spelling strategies.
This approach is about fostering and developing students' curiosity about words, in terms of:
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As educators, we can foster this approach through facilitating learning conversations using guiding questions and encouraging students to pose questions, share wonderings, investigate theories, form generalisations and develop explanations about their thinking.
This approach is supported by the Effective Spelling resources developed by Christine Topfer and Tasmanian teaching colleagues. |
The Spelling Through Inquiry approach that I utilise in my teaching draws upon six key components to support the development of a BIG IDEA in spelling. These components are:
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Tuning InThis phase is about strategically leveraging a piece of literature to stimulate curiosity as a whole-class. This phase should build engagement and provide opportunities for students to make connections between words and see them in authentic contexts.
This phase often includes a pre-assessment to determine student understanding and guide the learning cycle for future experiences about key spelling concepts and strategies. |
Noticing & SearchingThis phase is about explicitly noticing and naming particular spelling features within a text and noticing the pattern. This phase is also about providing opportunities to search for, collect and record words that follow the same big idea through examining the shared text, other texts and sources along with prior student knowledge.
This phase is about engaging in dialogue, thinking, wondering and developing explanations. |
Guided PracticeThis phase is about providing time for guided practice and whole-class exploration of the spelling feature being examined. Students are actively investigating words and beginning to apply the spelling strategy or feature; continuing to notice, name, think, question, and explain their understanding of how words work.
This phase might include experiences such as word sorts, writing tasks, games and mini inquiries to support the development of understanding. |
Independent PracticeThis phase is about providing opportunities for students to explore and apply the spelling features, ensuring that students can practice spelling unknown words in rich and authentic reading and writing experiences.
This phase also supports the use of collaborative conversations, ensuring students continue to contribute to a knowledge base that is greater than their own. |
Reflecting On LearningThis phase is about taking the time to reflect on understanding and how it has developed and changed over the course of the inquiry. Sharing understanding and growth with others is an important part of the inquiry cycle and in helping students develop meaningful and authentic learning goals.
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Checking UnderstandingThis phase about providing ongoing opportunities to practice the spelling feature or strategy. This provides a rich opportunity for teacher's to notice the way students apply their learning in reading, writing and across all curriculum areas.
This phase often contains a post-assessment, allowing teacher's to compare pre- and post- data in order to plan future inquiries and ongoing learning experiences. |