School issues/Spelling tests: Difference between revisions

From movingforward-together
Jump to navigationJump to search
VisualWikitext
(Created page with "Why Weekly Spelling Tests Don’t Work – and Why Immersive Reading is Better Many schools still use weekly spelling tests based on dictated word lists. This may seem traditional, but for children with dyslexia or ADHD, it’s a method that may set them up to fail. Why spelling tests don’t work for many children • They test isolated words read aloud by the teacher. Real life spelling happens in context – in sentences, notes, or stories. • They rely on phonics re...")
 
No edit summary
 
(2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Why Weekly Spelling Tests Don’t Work – and Why Immersive Reading is Better
''This page is part of the School Issues section.''
Many schools still use weekly spelling tests based on dictated word lists. This may seem traditional, but for children with dyslexia or ADHD, it’s a method that may set them up to fail.
 
* Return to main navigation:* [[School_Issues]]
 
== '''Why Weekly Spelling Tests Don’t Work – and Why Immersive Reading is often better''' ==
Many schools still use weekly spelling tests based on dictated word lists.
 
This may seem traditional, but for children with dyslexia or ADHD, it’s a method that may set them up to fail,
 
Why spelling tests don’t work for many children
Why spelling tests don’t work for many children
• They test isolated words read aloud by the teacher. Real life spelling happens in context – in sentences, notes, or stories.
 
• They rely on phonics recall, which is exactly where many dyslexic/ADHD children struggle.
* They test isolated words read aloud by the teacher.  
• Even when given ‘easier lists,’ the process itself still causes failure.
* Real life spelling happens in context – in sentences, notes, or stories.
• Repeated failure leads to embarrassment, low confidence, and in some cases, children giving up on reading altogether.
* They rely on phonics recall, which is exactly where many dyslexic/ADHD children struggle.
What works better: Immersive Reading
* • Even when given ‘easier lists,’ the process itself still causes failure.
• Built into Audible,Microsoft Word, iPads, and other devices.
* • Repeated failure leads to embarrassment, low confidence, and in some cases, children giving up on reading altogether.
• Reads words aloud while highlighting them on screen – so children both see and hear them.
 
• Lets children read books at their understanding level, not their ‘baby book’ reading age.
== '''What works better: Immersive Reading''' ==
• Removes embarrassment: they can use headphones independently without a TA sitting beside them.
 
• Builds vocabulary naturally – children learn complex words in context (science, animals, space) without even realising.
* Built into Audible,Microsoft Word, iPads, and other devices.
• ✅ Independent at home: children can use immersive reading without needing an adult to sit beside them. That means much more time spent with books – and it’s a positive alternative to ‘passive screen time.’
* • Reads words aloud while highlighting them on screen – so children both see and hear them.
Why parents should ask for change
* Lets children read books at their understanding level, not their ‘baby book’ reading age.
• Under the Equality Act, schools must avoid practices that put disabled pupils at a disadvantage.
* Removes embarrassment: they can use headphones independently without a anyone sitting beside them(TA in school).
• Persisting with dictation-style spelling tests does exactly that.
* Builds vocabulary naturally – children learn complex words in context (science, animals, space) without even realising. ✅ Independent at home: children can use immersive reading without needing an adult to sit beside them.
• Immersive reading isn’t just a SEND tool – it’s good for all children, and it prepares them for real-life reading and writing.
* That means much more time spent with books – and it’s a positive alternative to ‘passive screen time.’
 
== '''Why parents should ask for change''' • ==
 
* • Under the Equality Act, schools must avoid practices that put disabled pupils at a disadvantage.
 
* • Persisting with dictation-style spelling tests does exactly that.
* • Immersive reading isn’t just a SEND tool – it’s good for all children, and it prepares them for real-life reading and writing.
----''Disclaimer: This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.  ''For individual guidance, contact [[SENDIASS]], [https://www.ipsea.org.uk IPSEA], or [https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)].  See the full [[Legal and Support Disclaimer]] for details.

Latest revision as of 10:18, 16 November 2025

This page is part of the School Issues section.

Why Weekly Spelling Tests Don’t Work – and Why Immersive Reading is often better

Many schools still use weekly spelling tests based on dictated word lists.

This may seem traditional, but for children with dyslexia or ADHD, it’s a method that may set them up to fail,

Why spelling tests don’t work for many children

  • They test isolated words read aloud by the teacher.
  • Real life spelling happens in context – in sentences, notes, or stories.
  • They rely on phonics recall, which is exactly where many dyslexic/ADHD children struggle.
  • • Even when given ‘easier lists,’ the process itself still causes failure.
  • • Repeated failure leads to embarrassment, low confidence, and in some cases, children giving up on reading altogether.

What works better: Immersive Reading

  • Built into Audible,Microsoft Word, iPads, and other devices.
  • • Reads words aloud while highlighting them on screen – so children both see and hear them.
  • Lets children read books at their understanding level, not their ‘baby book’ reading age.
  • Removes embarrassment: they can use headphones independently without a anyone sitting beside them(TA in school).
  • Builds vocabulary naturally – children learn complex words in context (science, animals, space) without even realising. ✅ Independent at home: children can use immersive reading without needing an adult to sit beside them.
  • That means much more time spent with books – and it’s a positive alternative to ‘passive screen time.’

Why parents should ask for change •

  • • Under the Equality Act, schools must avoid practices that put disabled pupils at a disadvantage.
  • • Persisting with dictation-style spelling tests does exactly that.
  • • Immersive reading isn’t just a SEND tool – it’s good for all children, and it prepares them for real-life reading and writing.

Disclaimer: This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For individual guidance, contact SENDIASS, IPSEA, or the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). See the full Legal and Support Disclaimer for details.

Retrieved from "https://wiki.movingforward-together.org/w/index.php?title=School_issues/Spelling_tests&oldid=225"