A Menu of Assessment for Learning (AfL) tests

A Menu of AfL tests

Yellow Tests (Default)

The yellow tests are our default setting, consisting of 200 levels. These tests begin with fundamental phonics skills and systematically progress through all essential phonics concepts. They then gradually introduce the most frequently used words. The yellow tests cover a comprehensive range of vocabulary, including words from the Dolch, Fry, SNIP and Oxford 3000 word lists.

Children start with an initial placement test to determine their appropriate level.

Any words the child gets wrong in this test will be added to their Learning Words grids.

Specific Phonics and Rules

If you wish to focus on specific phonics areas or spelling rules, this is the section you’ll need. We provide a Teacher Phonics & Spelling Rules Booklet to guide your lessons, along with corresponding tests for each rule or phonics topic. These assessments allow you to measure the percentage of mastery for a given rule or phonics concept.

Any words the child doesn’t know how to spell will be added to their Learning Words section, where they can study them offline. By retesting at a later date, you can track and quantify their improvement in mastering that rule or phonics concept as a percentage.

Curriculum Aligned(UK)

In the UK, "Statutory Requirements" for spelling are assigned to each year group. The Spellings for Me programme provides assessments specifically aligned with these requirements. These assessments help measure the percentage of mastery for a given statutory requirement. Any words the child cannot spell are added to their Learning Words section, where they can study them offline. By retesting at a later date, you can track and quantify their improvement in mastering the statutory requirements as a percentage.

Gifted

The Gifted section is designed to challenge and engage students with advanced spelling abilities. Once a child completes Level 200 of the yellow tests, they can progress to the Gifted section. This feature introduces an enriched vocabulary, tailored to learners ready for more complex content.

Any words the child gets wrong in this test will be added to their Learning Words

grids.

Key Vocabulary

The Key Vocabulary section is designed to help children focus on specific, commonly used words, ensuring they can spell and master them effectively. These are essential words that children use daily in their writing, such as days of the week, months of the year, feelings, family members, emotions, and more. These are the foundational spellings they will rely on throughout their lives.

Any Words the child gets wrong in this test will go to their Learning Words grids

EAL

The EAL section is designed for students learning English as an additional language. The levels—A1, A2, and B1—align with the first three stages of the six-point scale in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This section covers 27 themes at each level, with content that becomes progressively more challenging. Additionally, there is a wealth of printable activities available to complement these themes, supporting targeted and engaging language practice.

Any Words the child gets wrong in this test will go to their Learning Words grids.

Fry

Fry's First1000 Words are also included as a section in the programme. If you want to identify the words a child cannot spell from Fry’s list and create an individualised spelling

programme based on those results, this is the section to guide them to.

Any words the child gets wrong in this test will be added to their Learning Words grids.

Dolch

Dolch Words are also included as a section in the programme. If you want to identify the words a child cannot spell from the Dolch list and create an individualised spelling programme based on those results, this is the section to guide them to.

Any words the child gets wrong in this test will be added to their Learning Words grids.

SNIP

SNIP Words are also included as a section in the programme. If you want to identify the words a child cannot spell from the SNIP list and create an individualised spelling programme based on those results, this is the section to guide them to.

Any words the child gets wrong in this test will be added to their Learning Words grids.

Letter Strings

If a child finds spelling challenging and benefits from identifying patterns to aid their learning, Letter Strings can be an excellent approach. Our recommended letter string grids (e.g., ACK words, AIL words)provide structured sets of words for the child to practice. After mastering these words, they can take a Learning Words test as part of Assessment of Learning (AoL). We have over 60 sets of Letter String Grids of varying ability.

Custom Tests

The Custom Tests feature in Spellings for Me allows teachers to create tailored tests using words or topics of their choice. These tests can be cross-curricular, covering subjects like science, geography, or any other area. Teachers can select specific words or themes to focus on class topics, subject-specific vocabulary, or individual learning goals. This flexible feature ensures students engage with relevant and meaningful content that supports their progress.

Any words the child gets wrong in these tests will be added to their Learning Words

grids.

Mastered Words

Mastered Words are words a pupil has learned to spell correctly and consistently. After practising words from the Learning Words grid, pupils take a test. Correctly spelled words move to the Mastered Words section, while incorrect ones remain for further practice. This section tracks progress and celebrates achievements.

Any words the child gets wrong in these tests will be added to their Learning Words grids

Dictation

The dictation tests require pupils to write words or sentences as they are spoken aloud. In Spellings for Me, dictation ensures pupils apply learned spelling in context. The dictation exercises are directly aligned with the 200 yellow tests. For example, the 25 words from Level 10 of the yellow tests appear in Level 25 of the dictation tests. However, in the dictation tests, these words are presented in sentence format, with multiple words included in each sentence.

Any words the child gets wrong in these tests will be added to their Learning Words grids.