Give Students the Keys to Unlock Spelling.

Unfortunately, due to restrictions on sharing footage of children, videos of Smart Words lessons are not available for public sharing.  

We often suggest that schools record the lesson themselves for reference. This can be helpful for: 

• Showcasing a typical Smart Words lesson format. 
• Upskilling teachers already using the program. 
• Training new or relief staff. 
• Demonstrating the program to parents. 

Level A is a five-day program designed for the first term of the first year of school, focusing on foundational literacy skills. The timetable for each week is provided in the book, with activities covering: 

• Auditory, visual, fine motor, and language skills. 
• Penmanship readiness. 
• Concepts of print. 
• Activities can be done as group-based tasks or small group activities throughout the day, and sections can be revisited to reinforce learning. 

Level B operates on a three-day cycle, aimed at teaching letter names, sounds, and correct letter formation. Essential materials include: 

• Level B workbooks. 
• My Dictionary for each child. 
• Nursery Rhyme books for additional practice. 

The lessons involve engaging students with hands-on activities, sound recognition, and letter formation exercises, with ongoing assessments to gauge progress. 

To adjust a three-day Level B rotation into a four-day cycle, you can incorporate: 

• Nursery Rhyme activities for shared reading. 
• Starter Phrase packs that include cut-and-paste activities. 
• Alphabetical readers for revision and reading practice. 

You may also consider adjusting group sizes or getting additional support to ensure all students benefit from the lessons. 

Yes, Smart Words fits into the reading and writing hour. Typically, you start with the Smart Words cycle before moving into the reading group cycle. Initially, it may take more time, but as students become familiar with the process, you can reduce the time spent. 

Depending on the support available, you can run up to four groups in a class. If you have a mix of Level A, B, and C students, you may choose to: 

• Combine Levels A and B into one group. 
• Work with another class to split the levels across multiple classrooms. 
• Ensure that group sizes remain manageable for effective teaching. 

As early as possible, even in infancy. They are a valuable tool for teaching letter sounds, word recognition, and language development. In the classroom, Nursery Rhymes are useful for students from Kindy to Year 1, providing engaging, fun practice in phonics, sound identification, and pencil grip.