What is Smart Words?

The Smart Words programme is a sequenced language based programme of 24 levels. It introduces knowledge and strategies required for effective spelling in a carefully structured sequence of activities. Smart Words is a sequential and developmental Word Study / Spelling programme which aims to develop knowledge and strategies required for competent spelling.

Smart Words is:

• A language based programme. 
• Words in the lists are grouped phonetically and graphically to allow analogy to develop. "sounds like so probably looks like". 
• Morphemic groupings and grammar included. 
• Teaches generalizations and rules rather than exceptions. (80% of English words follow a rule) 
• Letter names are taught as part of sound, name, symbol relationship. 
• Works within the general memory limits of the age group. 
• Teaches one new element at a time. 
• Mastery based. Provides constant revision. 
• Allows for differential teaching. 
• Teaches morphemic groupings. (base word +). 
• Teaches dictionary skills and proof reading. 
• Aims to develop a "spelling consciousness". 
• Aims to teach "how to spell" not just to spell words.

Levels A - B	Levels C - F	Levels G - J
Levels K - N	Levels O - S	Levels T - X

Level A and B (in one volume)

Level A introduces the foundation skills involved in spelling. It is these skills which many "failing" students have not developed and consequently further skills are not learned due to an incomplete or poor foundation. The program covers the auditory and visual skills required giving a ten week program in all the sub skills involved. The program gives the sequence of teaching outcomes, ideas for activities, word lists and photocopyable work sheets.

This level also contains a program, which will help to eliminate reversals of letters and numbers for all children. This is the "Ant Story". Teachers have reported that it "works like magic" in the avoidance and correction of reversal problems.

Level B introduces the sound, name, symbol relationship. This is sequenced in a very specific order based on speech and hearing development and the way letters are constructed.

The order of introduction cannot be changed as the program contains constant reviews of work already studied, thus gradually building the child's knowledge of single letters, their placements in words and the written form. It is based on a three day learning cycle for each letter with activities, ideas and photocopyable worksheets.

Then follows:

Level C,D,E,F (in one volume)
Level G,H,I,J (in one volume)
Level K,L,M,N (in one volume)
Level O,P,Q,R,S (in one volume)
Level T,U,V,W,X (in one volume). 

These levels work with a carefully sequenced, developmental set of words, working with the words within the context of language. Words / knowledge / strategies are introduced through a four day cycle. The same structure is used throughout all worksheets in such a way that the students readily learn and follow routines.

Day 1 is the oral introduction of the words examining their meanings, extensions, usage, morphemic groupings, verb families, comparatives, superlatives, etc.

Day 2 of the cycle has as photocopyable work sheet with activities using the words in language to develop meaning and usage, dictionary and thesaurus skills.

Day 3 of the cycle works with another photocopyable worksheet with activities using the words in verb groupings, superlatives, comparatives, opposites, homonyms and homophones, morphemic grouping with suffixes and prefixes to develop the understanding of how words are formed and extended and in turn how meanings are changed.

Day 4 is tournament day where all the newly learned skills are put into practice. Photocopyable sheets for this day are available in the student workbooks that accompany each level. Alternatively, there are ideas for "tournament day" in the level books.

Group	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10	etc
1	Day 1 Activity	Day 2 Activity	Day 3 Activity	Day 4 Activity	Day 1 Activity	Day 2 Activity	Day 3 Activity	Day 4 Activity	Day 1 Activity	Day 2 Activity	etc
2		Day 1 Activity	Day 2 Activity	Day 3 Activity	Day 4 Activity	Day 1 Activity	Day 2 Activity	Day 3 Activity	Day 4 Activity	Day 1 Activity	etc
3			Day 1 Activity	Day 2 Activity	Day 3 Activity	Day 4 Activity	Day 1 Activity	Day 2 Activity	Day 3 Activity	Day 4 Activity	etc
4				Day 1 Activity	Day 2 Activity	Day 3 Activity	Day 4 Activity	Day 1 Activity	Day 2 Activity	Day 3 Activity	etc