Receive teaching resources and tips, exclusive special offers, useful product information and more!
Back to Planning articles & videos
Sound Waves Spelling 23/2/21
Many parents are eager to support their child’s spelling practice. However, some parents may have learned to spell using different approaches to those used in Sound Waves Spelling. To ensure Sound Waves Spelling is effectively embraced at school and at home, use our top tips for getting parents on board.
At the start of the year, provide parents with an overview of Sound Waves Spelling.
If you’re teaching Years 1–6, send parents the Years 1 to 6 Letter to Parents which clearly outlines the Sound Waves Spelling approach, what their child will be learning in their spelling lessons and how they can support their child from home.
If you’re teaching Foundation students, send parents the Foundation Letter to Parents which explains the two phases of learning specific to their child’s first year of school.
Let parents know that students usually explore one or two focus sounds per week. There are a number of ways you can notify parents of each week’s focus sound, such as:
To prevent parents from resorting to outdated ‘look, cover, write, check’ activities, provide them with a selection of activities to do at home to support what their child is learning in class.
Remember to pass on login details to students and their parents so they can access the range of resources at the student site. Find your students’ login details in the My Classroom page of your own Sound Waves Spelling access.
Have students log in to www.fireflystudents.com.au to do the following:
Remember, it’s also important to encourage parents to reach out and talk to you if there’s something they don’t understand to avoid confusing students.
Tell us about your ideas and strategies for getting parents on board with Sound Waves Spelling. Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.