"Useful to both an experienced teacher as a focus, or back up, but also useful to a parent trying to support a child’s school spelling programme or for those home educating"
I think I might be a little addicted to these books, having reviewed a number of arithmetic and comprehension ninja books that I use regularly in my lessons.
It is evident that Andrew Jennings is an experienced and empathetic teacher, as the resources are all so accessible and relevant.
The book is split up into age groups, years 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, and within each section, there is a page dedicated to a spelling rule, with a focus, examples, the sound focus and how to break the word into syllables, a task or a tip and a ninja joke. There are also sample sentences which are great for re-enforcement or a dictation.
What is clever is that there is so much varied information, that it is useful to both an experienced teacher as a focus, or back up, but also useful to a parent trying to support a child’s school spelling programme or for those home educating. This makes it a particularly useful tool kit. This book is a useful and quick reference point with a clear contents page, an introduction on how to use the book and a parental guide to help a child to learn the spellings and retain the patterns; using such techniques as listen/hear/repeat, verbal and written recognition and the use of flash cards.
The only thing it doesn’t mention directly is how to support dyslexic spellers, who do not readily see the pattern in words and struggle to retain visual cues. This however has always been an issue with any spelling guide.
There are however useful tools here, such as colour coding words, the repetition and clear lists of word patterns, and use of flash cards. Perhaps a clearer guide for how to support struggling learners would be beneficial. There is certainly something here for any speller, at all levels and abilities – another great Ninja resource.
From Andrew Jennings (@VocabularyNinja), the bestselling author of Comprehension Ninja and Write Like a Ninja, this is an essential toolkit of strategies and resources to supercharge primary school children and transform them into spelling ninjas!
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From Andrew Jennings (@VocabularyNinja), the bestselling author of Comprehension Ninja and Write Like a Ninja, this is an essential toolkit of strategies and resources to supercharge primary school children and transform them into spelling ninjas! In this newest instalment of the Ninja series, Spell Like a Ninja provides essential tips, lists and advice to support the teaching and learning of spelling in the primary classroom or at home, all in a handy, pocket-sized book.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Spell Like a Ninja and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-12 years old
Spell Like a Ninja features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Grammar, Spelling & Literature, Educational: Language, literature and literacy, Educational material, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Reference Works, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £5.39, down from the £5.99 cover price. Not Available.
Spell Like a Ninja was written by Andrew Jennings and published by Bloomsbury Education an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Spell Like a Ninja has 128 pages
£5.39, reduced from £5.99. Not Available.
