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Wordshark provides a fun and effective games-based solution for students learning to spell and read. The program is especially effective in helping students with special educational needs including dyslexia.
Wordshark has unique depth and quality, drawing on 25 years’ experience in meeting the wide-ranging learning needs of students…
Creates ‘groups’ in which to organise the students/other teachers eg whole class, a spelling group etc. Administrators can add as many other staff as they like!
Each game helps to develop a variety of reading and spelling skills – not only rote practice. There are games for single letters, phonics, syllables and whole words. After every third game a reward game is offered as additional motivation. The games are grouped into categories, with a tab for each category, as listed below.
Encourage your students to take a look at the spellings they’re working on by clicking on the yellow ‘My Play Words’ banner.
They can click on each word to hear it, and explore the phonics – and syllables too, if relevant.
When setting work, there are around 10,000 words, sentences and images for you to choose from, grouped into courses/word lists. You can also choose to add your own words to create your own lists!
See details and walkthrough video https://wolhelp.wordshark.co.uk/portal/en/kb/articles/courses-lists
>> Select a course (5 courses available):
>> Choose a word list from a unit under the selected course:
>> Clicking on each word will allow you to hear it spoken - and see a picture if available:
>> Clicking on More words will refresh the list (optional):
>> Selecting PHONICS you can see the phonemes indicated - and listen to the word broken into phonemes:
>> Selecting VOWELS will highlight vowels in blue:
>> SPLIT WORDS will show syllable splits if they are available – used in syllable games:
When setting work, there are around 10,000 words, sentences and images for you to choose from, grouped into courses/word lists.
You can also choose to add your own words to create your own lists!
You can be fully creative with what you teach.
You can also add definitions and translations to support vocabulary development and EAL.
See more ideas on creating your own word lists:https://www.wordshark.co.uk/wordshark/tour-of-wordshark-online/creating-your-own-word-lists/
Wordshark course: structureThe Wordshark course starts with letter sounds and simple words and follows through systematically to long difficult words.
Wordshark course: word listsSame course as used by ‘Supershark - the automatic progression’
Link to Teaching note for the Wordshark course (Units 1-12)
British National Curriculum spelling list course for KS1 and KS2
Everyday vocabulary courseCovers everyday topics that students might need if new to English. It is arranged alphabetically under subject titles such as ‘clothing’, ‘food’ etc
High Frequency Words courseWords that are needed most frequently for reading and for writing
No student is the same or learns in the same way, so Wordshark adapts to each of their needs, providing a wide choice of words, games, and options:
A new baseline test places each student at the best starting point. They can work independently and move forward with their own individual learning journey. This gives teachers more time to focus on help where it is truly needed.
The best of all worlds Wordshark offers great flexibility. Use the Supershark course with its automatic progression, or use one of the other courses in your own way, or set work for students with a program to guide them through – or add your own words.
10,000 words & sentences
Courses include British National Curriculum spellings, Alpha to Omega, High frequency words, and Everyday vocabulary for students new to English. Word lists are presented in a format to support your spelling lessons. Your own lists can also be added
Dyslexia, SEND, EAL
Even reluctant students are motivated by Wordshark! Multi-sensory, carefully thought-through games and structured word lists make the program ideal for SEND. The courses and games are perfect for students learning English as an additional language.
Age & gender neutral
The choice of activities, concepts and words make Wordshark suitable for ages 5-16, from early introduction to phonics right through to spelling support in secondary school, filling gaps in knowledge or for learning specialist vocabulary.
The games
Each motivating game has a sound educational purpose helping to develop a variety of reading and spelling skills – not just rote practice. There are also games for synthetic phonics.
Adaptable & easy to use
Wordshark is easy to use but also hugely versatile – easily adjusted to the needs of each student. You can set work, use automatic progression or ‘dip’ into the program…and you can create your own words lists.
Measuring Impact
Wordshark records track time spent on games and shows results – with errors clearly highlighted. Regular, short sessions and a mixture of games e.g. using ‘Supershark’ ensures success!
Firstly… the placement test ‘Shark Challenge’
When students first sign in, by default they are given a placement test.
The placement test is called ‘Shark Challenge’ and is a ‘spelling game’!
You can leave your students to complete the Shark Challenge (and also the below ‘Supershark’) independently, at school or at home.
Wordshark is very flexible – if you prefer, it’s possible to bypass the Shark Challenge. Tell me more about Shark Challenge
Then… automatic progression ‘Supershark’
After the Shark Challenge, your students are automatically placed in an automatic progression course called ‘Supershark’ (no intervention needed from a teacher!) However, you do have a manual override – to reset their placement at any time.
Games selections are cycled-through. Certain ‘games’ also serve as spelling tests, and students are moved on to the next list when they achieve a specific spelling score.
Supershark follows the ‘Wordshark’ course which starts with letter sounds and simple words and follows through systematically to long difficult words. Tell me more about Supershark.
Wordshark online - support/FAQ site https://wolhelp.wordshark.co.uk/portal/en/kb/wol
Introduction to ‘Wordshark Online‘ FREE 30 minute demos for schools/tutors'7:00 pm Hong Kong Time
30 students (HK$158/student)
