21TRA064 An Introduction to the Word Study Approach to the Teaching of Spelling

TWIN WEBINAR 8TH AND 23RD FEBRUARY 7.00PM - 8.00PM

It has been said that Spelling is the most tested and least taught aspect of our curriculum. In recent years there has been a renewed focus on how children learn to spell and this has influenced how teachers teach it. This pair of one hour webinars aims to give teachers an overview of how spelling is best taught. They focus on informing and improving teacher knowledge of the essential elements of good spelling instruction at every level.

These webinars will outline what the latest research has to say about the teaching, learning and assessment of spelling and some commonly-used approaches are discussed in light of this research. The knowledge and the skills that children need in order to enable them to become competent spellers are outlined and explained and Word Study is demonstrated as an effective means of achieving that knowledge and those skills. Some hands-on activities for classroom use are demonstrated and shared.

The ability to inform our teaching using diagnostic analysis of student writing is an essential element of good spelling instruction. There will be analysis of student free writing samples and the causes of some common spelling errors will be identified. Teaching strategies will be recommended to address identified needs.

The webinars will appeal to teachers at every level in Primary School and support teachers in Secondary School. 

Bio of Presenter:

Eoin Shanahan has taught at every level in Primary school over a period of almost forty years. Prior to his retirement, he spent a number of years as an advisor with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) where he continues as an Associate. Eoin has spent many years researching and supporting schools in the teaching, learning and assessment of spelling. He has done some pioneering work in the areas of Phonological and Phonemic Awareness, as evidenced in his seminal work 'Towards an Inventory of the Phoneme-Grapheme Units of Standard Irish English', published in Voices of Educators in 21st Century Ireland (Hibernia College, 2018). 

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