🟢 What is That Spelling Thing (TST)?

TST is both a book and an approach to spelling any word using:

  • Linguistic phonics (spoken syllables, sounds & graphemes)
  • Everyday morphology
  • Etymology when it supports memory

It is structured but not sequential and you bring your student’s vocabulary needs to the program.

Read more about how TST works.

🟢 Why That Spelling Thing training?

For years, teachers and parents have used only the book to get great results with their students.

  • However, we’ve had many requests for general phonics training for staff with no experience of using phonics in their secondary classrooms.
  • We’re also hearing more from teachers who have students who can read quite a bit but not the complex curriculum words. TST is an effective and shame-free way to teach decoding through spelling.

🟢 Who will benefit from the training?

  • Secondary teachers of any subject – and we really mean ANY subject
  • Post-16, TAFE, GED, Functional Skills tutors and others working in adult education
  • Middle school and upper primary/elementary teachers
  • Private tutors  and parents
  • Support staff in any of the above.

🟢 How does the course work?

  • Buy the 2 books from Amazon.
  • Register for free access to the introductory video and Word Help! support.
  • Video contents:
    • introduction to linguistic phonics for spelling
    • putting it into practice with That Spelling Thing
  • Complete in your own time.
  • It’s suitable for individuals up to whole staff CPD.

🟢 How much does the training cost?

  • In the UK, the cost of the 2 books is £39.98 per person.
  • At the time of writing
  • There is often 5% off for 4 or more copies of TST.
  • Click on the book links above for the cost in your currency.
  • The video and and Word Help! support are included in the cost of the study guide.

🟢 How long will it take me?

Part 1 is the video introduction to linguistic phonics for spelling and That Spelling Thing in particular.

  • The video is about an hour long but there are many places to pause, answer questions and review answers so assume that it will take 2 hours.

Parts 2 & 3 are worked through in the book and in practice. 

  • The timing of these sections will depend on several things including reading speed and how much time you take for the activities and reflection questions.

🟢 Note for literacy leads and other training co-ordinators:

if you’re planning to use for staff training, work through all 3 parts yourself first and decide on timings that will suit your situation.

🟢 Does this work with That Reading Thing?

Yes – this makes a great add-on to TRT when you’re ready to do more spelling and writing, usually after about Level 20.

🔴 That Spelling Thing is not for beginning readers (of any age).

We teach reading to a level of confidence (that level often agreed with your student) and then delve into spelling.

🔴 That Spelling Thing is not a program.

The approach is structured but you bring the words your students need.

If you’re looking for a tightly structured and sequential literacy programme with all resources included, you need That Reading Thing.

 

Compare That Reading Thing & That Spelling Thing

Takes you to That Reading Thing’s site.