Introduction

Over the past few years, we have carefully logged and reviewed teacher feedback on Spellings for Me. We understand the aspects of the programme that teachers found more challenging, and we have worked tirelessly to enhance and refine these areas. With the release of Version 2, we are confident that we have addressed the most significant concerns raised by teachers.

The three key areas we focused on were:

Testing efficiency – reducing unnecessary testing time.

Greater clarity in the Yellow Spelling Test – ensuring structured progression.

Reducing reliance on the physical workbook – making the program more accessible and cost-effective.

With these enhancements, we believe Spellings for Me is now a more efficient and user-friendly programme that meets the needs of both teachers and students.

The Speed of Testing: Improved Placement and Progression

One of the key challenges in Version 1 of Spellings for Me was the lack of a placement test. Previously, all students began at Level 1, regardless of their spelling ability. While teachers had the option to manually skip students to more suitable levels, this feature often went unused. Teachers, understandably focused on other curricular demands, sometimes overlooked the instructions for skipping levels. As a result, capable spellers spent unnecessary hours completing tests that were much too easy for them.

Those who did use the level-skipping feature sometimes struggled with determining the most appropriate level for each student, fearing that they might skip too far and cause gaps in learning.

Our Solution in Version 2

With Version 2, we have completely resolved this issue by introducing an automated placement test. Upon logging in, students will complete a carefully designed placement test which assesses their spellings skills. The system in turn will take these results and place each child at an appropriate starting level. This eliminates unnecessary testing on words that are too easy and ensures that students begin at a level suited to their ability.

Additionally, Version 2 continuously evaluates student performance and adjusts their progression accordingly. If a student excels, they will be automatically advanced to more challenging levels without requiring manual intervention from the teacher. This means a faster, more efficient learning process, reducing unnecessary testing for students and freeing up time for teachers to focus on other important areas of instruction.

By implementing this new placement system, we have significantly improved the speed of testing, ensuring that students are always challenged at the right level while minimising unnecessary work.

Reducing Dependency on the Physical Workbook

In Version 1, the physical workbook played a crucial role in providing teachers with a structured place to paste spelling words and deliver morphology and etymology lessons on Mondays. However, we recognised that this approach had limitations and created unnecessary reliance on printed materials.

With Version 2, we have fully integrated morphology and etymology into the online platform, eliminating the necessity for a physical workbook. The new morphology and etymology suite is now available within the teacher and student profiles, ensuring that these key learning components are easily accessible and seamlessly incorporated into the digital experience. With these activities automatically corrected and results sent to the teacher dashboard, it also reduces teacher workload. 

Another important consideration has been the government book grant. Over the past few years, this grant has been reduced, making it more challenging for schools to justify single-use workbooks. Recognising this shift, we have adapted Spellings for Me to better align with future educational trends. While the workbook remains available for those who prefer it, Version 2 now functions as an online-only product, offering schools a cost-effective and flexible solution.

To further support affordability, we have adjusted our pricing to four euros plus VAT per student. Schools can now purchase Spellings for Me through their government book grant or by applying for the ICT school grant, providing greater financial flexibility.

By reducing dependency on the physical workbook and offering a lower price point, we ensure that Spellings for Me remains an accessible and future-proof solution for schools.

Structuring the Yellow Spelling Test for Greater Clarity

In Version 1, the Yellow Spelling Test was built with 40 levels, where words were arranged from easiest to most difficult. However, this structure did not provide teachers with clear insights into specific spelling patterns or student abilities.

With Version 2, we have expanded the Yellow Spelling Test from 40 levels to 200 levels, with a structured approach to word categorization. Levels 1 to 77 now follow a precise system where each level is assigned a specific spelling pattern or rule. For example:

Level 1: Two-letter words

Level 2: CVC words with letter A

Level 3: CVC words with letter E

Level 15: Double consonants with LL

Level 19: Consonant blends (BL, CL, FL, PL)

See full contents of Yellow Tests HERE

This structured approach allows teachers to quickly assess student performance and understand their strengths or areas needing improvement. When teachers review results from Level 15, they know the student has been tested specifically on double consonants with LL, rather than simply being placed within a broad difficulty range.

This enhancement eliminates unnecessary reliance on additional lists like Dolch, Fry, or SNIP for students needing support. However, we have also included a comprehensive Phonics and Rules section as well as a full English as an Additional Language (EAL) section to cater to diverse learning needs.

By refining the structure of the Yellow Spelling Test, Version 2 ensures a more targeted learning experience, making it easier for teachers to track progress and for students to build skills efficiently.

Conclusion

While we are happy to have addressed these three key concerns, what excites us even more are the new and enhanced features within Spellings for Me Version 2. In particular, we believe that the Phonics and Rules section, the English as an Additional Language section, and most importantly, our Morphology and Etymology suite, will be transformative in helping students become stronger spellers.

With over 160 morphology lessons, this resource provides schools with a structured, research-based approach to spelling instruction that can be implemented across multiple school years. We are confident that these updates will have a profound impact on literacy development, both in Ireland and globally.

We appreciate the continued support and feedback from teachers, and we look forward to seeing the benefits of these improvements in classrooms everywhere!