How do we use a THRASS Chart to Teach Spelling?

Parent Workshop Term 4 2016

What is THRASS?THRASS is an acronym for:

Teaching

Handwriting

Reading

And

Spelling

Skills

THRASS HISTORY AT OUR SCHOOLIn 2015, our staff explored THRASS and felt the implementation of this tool in our school would benefit all of our learners.

In 2015, all staff were trained over 2 days to implement THRASS. To teach using these strategies you need to be trained.

In 2016, our new staff have been trained. We have also been on a learning journey as a whole school towards implementing THRASS from P-6.

THRASS is not a program, it is a teaching tool. It can be used for all ages and abilities.

Key TerminologyTHRASS uses the correct terms for speech sounds and spelling choices in English.

Phoneme is the correct term for a speech sound.

Grapheme is the correct term for a spelling choice.

We use this terminology with all learners from P-6 at St Mary of the Cross.

In spoken English we use 44 phonemes.

Graphemes can be a graph, digraph, trigraph and sometimes a quadgraph.

By using analogy and a THRASS Chart we can now explicitly teach children these words.

was put

Parts of the THRASS Chart

Letter Boxes

Consonant phonemes and graphemes

Vowel phonemes and graphemes

Key terminology

MASUTA IN ACTIONMEANINGcat

A cat is a small animal.

A cat has soft fur, a short snout and claws.

MASUTA IN ACTIONANALYSISSegment the phonemes in the word (c) (a) (t)

Identify the graphemes ‘c’ ‘a’ ‘t’

How many syllables in this word- 1 syllable

Connect by analogy

Locate IPA

MASUTA IN ACTIONSYNTHESISSynthesise the phonemes.

Explore deletion and manipulation activities.

Cat with the phoneme (b) becomes bat

MASUTA IN ACTIONUSING MEMORYActivities using memory to spell these words.

MASUTA IN ACTIONTESTING: 1. Articulate the word.2. Articulate the word in a sentence.3. Identify and synthesise the phonemes.4. Isolate and write the graphemes.5. Spell the word using the letter names.

We have standardised testing twice a year (South Australian) and we can use this to regularly assess spelling.

MASUTA IN ACTIONAPPLYING

You see these newly taught words used by students in everyday application. This also links to their reading.

MASUTA gives the teacher control over teaching spelling.

How can you help your child at home?*Teach that the alphabet has letter names and we have 44 phonemes (sounds) in English.

*Talk to your child about the meaning of new words they are learning. This is an important role that you can play.

*At all ages, talk to your child about the meaning of words and using them in context. This way, you are building new vocabulary for your child.

*Also ask for help if you have any questions.

Further Information and Resources★ THRASS website www.thrass.com.au★ Parent Information Pack Provided★ Purchase a THRASS Chart for $7.00 (per chart)★ Homegroup teachers in our school are all THRASS Trained. Feel free at anytime to contact me

for any advice or questions.

jryan@smocptcook.catholic.edu.au or call our school