Frequently Asked Questions 

It takes a whole school day, around 5 hours. The online course has a total of 3 hours of pre-recorded video content but it takes a whole school day to complete though, as you pause to do the activities, make notes, type in questions and read other people's questions and the answers too!  Some schools choose to complete the online course over 2-3 after school sessions.  You'll get a certificate emailed to you for 5 hours of professional learning.  

One month from the time of purchase. We find that if you stretch it out any more than that, you'll forget bits!  The course content is the equivalent of one school day.  You can watch the course as many times as you like within your month of access.  Of course, if anything unexpected happens and you don't get to finish the course we will happily extend it for you.

Video 1: Background

• The 4 areas of spelling knowledge and what they mean for the classroom

Video 2: Letters and Sounds 

• Linking phonological knowledge to orthographic knowledge
• How and when to explicitly teach

Video 3: The SMART Spelling Sequence 

• How to teach spelling using the SMART Sequence!

Video 4: Giving Meaningful Feedback in Writing 

• The 80/20 rule and where to place your teaching emphasis
• The power of personalised 'BOB' spelling words - in the right dose!

Video 5: Classroom Implementation 

• The weekly spelling routine that is doable in a classroom

Video 6: The F - 6 Scope and Sequence

• The 3 step method for teaching sounds and letters
• The Foundation sequence (for the first year of school)
• The Year 1 – 6 Scope and Sequence

Video 7: How Words Work: Letters 

• How words work: Letters
• Making sense of split digraphs

Video 8: How Words Work: Sounds

• A sustainable strategy to say unvoiced/voiced sounds correctly 
• How to deal with accents
• How to pronounce the 24 consonant sounds of English
• How to pronounce the 20 vowel sounds of English

Video 9: How Words Work: Syllables 

• Why syllables are helpful and when to use them
• Teaching syllables using karate hands
• How to use syllables dots

Video 10: How Words Work: x and u 

• Letters representing more than one sound

Video 11: Either End of the Curve 

• Revision of SMART using 'au' words
• Student on modified programs
• Two ways to enrich students who can already spell

Video 12: Spelling Study Activities

• Colour coding
• Spelling points
• Spelling stickers
• Spelling grid

Video 13: How Words Work: Spelling Rules 

• Why students need to know consonant suffixes and vowel suffixes
• The 4 SMART Spelling Rules
• Words sums

Video 14: Plurals

• When teaching more than one
• Follow up and thank you

Perfect - have a look at the Follow Up Course. 

You might be interested in The SMART Foundation Supplement. It's optional (and helpful) for teachers of children in their first year of school.

Michelle has 4 qualifications - all in education!  Straight after year 12 she went to Monash University to complete a Diploma of Teaching (Primary). 

She was then accepted to The University of Melbourne where she completed a Graduate Diploma of Special Education and then continued on to a Post Graduate Diploma of Special Education (Learning Disabilities).  She then completed a Masters of Education.

For several years Michelle conducted research towards a Doctor of Education at Melbourne Uni (along with lecturing) but she didn't complete her dissertation. Michelle's Mum died suddenly and she chose to leave her research to become the carer for her beloved father, who lived with Michelle, her husband Freddy and their children, until he died peacefully at 95 years old.

Please email Freddy in my office.  He is always happy to help.