SMART Spelling

helps primary school teachers

to feel great about teaching spelling well

 

We do this through a course and a printed manual

SMART Spelling helps primary school teachers to feel great about teaching spelling well

 

We do this through a course and a printed manual

Hi!  I'm Michelle Hutchison and I LOVE teaching spelling! 

I developed SMART Spelling because it wasn't always this way...I was a frustrated primary teacher who didn't understand spelling well.  In fact, I used to feel nervous about teaching spelling.  I wanted to do better for my students.  With many years of further study and research at Melbourne Uni, SMART Spelling was developed and released to everyone in 2015!  It's now used (and loved) by thousands of teachers, all across Australia, who are thrilled with the depth of knowledge they and their students develop using the SMART approach.  You'll love such a sensible way to teach spelling. 

 

Yes...really! 

The words 'love' and 'spelling' in the same sentence!  

 

Let me show you a simple routine to teach spelling. There's a Foundation – 6 scope and sequence and a comprehensive 263 page coil bound manual, that has words broken up for you!  We start by teaching the meaning of words to expand vocabulary and then break words into syllables, sounds and letter patterns (graphs, digraphs and trigraphs).

 

It just makes so much sense.

 

SMART Spelling incorporates both the systematic teaching of spelling each week and also personal words.  We teach in patterns as much as possible, so teachers choose a range of words (from simple to complex) from a suggested list in the manual.  Students are then guided to choose from that list, to meet different needs.  Teachers use their strong professional knowledge they gain in the course to give meaningful feedback to students about their spelling in writing, teaching at the point of need.  

 

It’s simple, easy and fun! 

 

Teachers feel confident in their content knowledge and know that SMART Spelling fits into a busy classroom.  

About the Course

 

The SMART Spelling course takes the equivalent of a whole school day to complete.  It's full of practical content that covers what to actually do in your classroom.  I'll show you how to deliver both explicit lessons and how to give meaningful feedback to students at the point of need, when they're writing.  You’ll be really well supported by 48 pages of notes.

 

The online course has pre-recorded video so you can do it at any time that suits you.  There are 14 lessons on video that take a whole school day (around 5 hours) to complete by the time you reflect or discuss after each video.  You will have a month of access from the time of purchase.  You can ask me questions by typing them under the videos in the course and I'll answer for you - as quickly as I can!  You can also read other people's questions and my answers too!

 

About the Manual

 

The manual is a printed 263 page, coil bound resource.  It contains a yearly scope and sequence from Foundation to Year 6 that I explain how to use in the course.  There's a huge resource of spelling lists, with the words broken up for you! 

 

You don't actually need a manual with you to do the course, just the 48 pages of notes that are a download in the login area, but you will need a manual to implement the SMART Spelling approach in a classroom.  Postage is $15 per order and manuals are posted out ASAP by the next business day at the latest.

$255 per person

Online Package

This includes 2 things:

  • The online SMART Spelling course with the 48 pages of notes as a PDF
  • A 263 page coil bound SMART Spelling manual

 

Click to Order

$455 per person

Face-to-Face Package

This includes 4 things:

  • A face-to-face course presented in person by Michelle Hutchison at our venue
  • A 263 page coil bound SMART Spelling manual
  • Printed 48 page notes booklet
  • Morning tea and lunch ☕️ 🥪 
Click for Dates

 

You have 2 payment options

You can use a credit card or you can get a tax invoice for your school to pay later by EFT.
A tax invoice will be emailed to you automatically after you order.
If you have a purchase order number from your school, enter it at checkout so it's included on the tax invoice.
All of our prices include GST.
 
 

Thinking About a Whole School Approach?

Whole School Information is Here
 

Where in the World is SMART Spelling?


 

Click here for a 10 minute intro AND a ‘sneak peek’ of the course!

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long do I have access to the online course?

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.

 

How long does it take to do the course?

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.  

 

I'd like a refresher.  Is there a follow up course?

There sure is!  Have a look the Follow Up Course. 

 

What about Foundation classes?

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

 

What's covered in the SMART Spelling course?

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

 

Any other questions?  

Please email Freddy He's always happy to help.

 

Who are some schools that have completed whole school training?

The lists are below!  There are other schools who trained groups at different times but these are the ones that we know about who trained everyone together.

2023

Heritage College, Vic

Cowra PS, NSW

Mout Evelyn CS, Vic

Newcastle East PS, NSW

Dundurrabin PS, NSW

Buln Buln PS, Vic

St Anne's Seaford, Vic

Holy Name PS, Preston East, Vic

Leopold PS, Vic

Sassafras PS, Tas

Chewton PS, Vic

Hernani PS, NSW

Morissett PS, NSW

St Peter Julian Eymard, Vic

The Rock Central School, NSW

Middlemount Community School, Qld

St Kevin's Toorak, Vic

Whitehorse PS, Vic

Emmanuel Christian School, Tas

Ballarat Christian College, Vic

The Rock Central School, NSW

Belgrave Height PS, Vic

Heathcote PS, Vic

Al Siraat College, Vic

Queenscliff PS, Vic

St Joachim's Carrum Downs,  Vic

 

 

2022 

Willunga PS, SA

Rockbank PS, Vic

Murrumburrah PS, NSW

Bimbadeen Heights PS, Vic

Northholm Grammar, NSW

Strathcona Baptist School, Vic

Yelarbon State School, Qld

Forth Primary School, Tas

Rolling Hills PS, Vic

Bellaire PS, Vic

Preston West PS, Vic

St Peter's Epping, Vic

Holy Trinity Eltham North, Vic

Regency Park PS, Vic

St Colman's School, Qld

Howard Springs PS, NT

Kapooka PS, NSW

Cheder Levi Yitchok, Vic

Appin Park PS, Vic

Uranquinty PS, NSW

Hume Public School, NSW

Scared Heart Tocumal, NSW

Ormond PS, Vic

Oscar Romero Catholic PS, Vic

Ardlethan Central School, NSW

Altona Meadows PS, Vic

New Lambton PS, NSW

St Vincent's Morwell, Vic

St Kilda Park PS, Vic

Dora Creek PS, NSW

Badger Creek PS, Vic

Canterbury PS, Vic

Bayside College, Vic

Morriset PS, NSW

Oakleigh South PS, Vic

McKinnon PS, Vic

 Wedderburn College, Vic

St Margaret's Grammar, Vic

Ballam Park PS, Vic

Bellbridge Primary School, Vic

Mary MacKillop Albury, NSW

Alphington PS, Vic

Leopold PS, Vic

Berkley Vale PS, NSW

Boroondara Park PS, Vic

Monbulk PS, Vic

Meadow Flat PS, NSW

Inverell PS, NSW

 

 

 

 

 

2021 

Norris Bank PS, Vic

Mitchell Island PS, NSW

Duri PS, NSW

Ringwood North Primary School, Vic

St Roch's Glen Iris, Vic

Scoresby Primary School, Vic

Berlin Bilingual School, Germany

Cardiff Public School, NSW

Christian College, Geelong

Walcha Public School, NSW

Penrith Valley PS, NSW

Our Lady Help of Christians Brunswick, Vic

St Mary's Coptic College, Vic

Holy Trinity, Wantirna South, Vic

Glen Innes PS, NSW

Barcaldine State School, Qld

Greythorn PS, Vic

St Therese's Essendon, Vic

Ocean Grove PS, Vic

Port Melbourne PS, Vic

St Patrick's College, Prospect, Tas

Good Shepherd College, Hamilton

St Thomas the Apostle, Blackburn, Vic

St John's Frankston East, Vic

Canterbury Primary School, Vic

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Epping Vic

Harrisfield PS, Vic

EA Southee PS, NSW

Lumen Christi, Churchill, Vic

Devonport Christian School, Tas

Carlton South PS, NSW

Lucknow PS, Vic

Estella PS Wagga, NSW

Miandetta PS, Tas

St Mary's Myrtleford, Vic

Fennell Bay PS, NSW

Ashmont PS, NSW

Young North Public School, NSW

Penrith Public School, NSW

Busby Public School, NSW

Bonnells Bay PS, NSW

Watsonia North Primary School, Vic

Apollo Parkways Primary School, Vic

Harrisfield Primary School, Vic

Claremont Meadows Public School, NSW

Holy Cross New Gisborne, Vic

Channel Christian School, Tas

Watsonia Heights Primary School, Vic

Salt Ash Public School, NSW

Longwarry Primary School, Vic

Northlakes Public School, NSW

Bees Creek School, NT

St Bedes Balwyn North, Vic

Keelonith Primary School, Vic

Young Public School, NSW

Ulverstone Primary School, Tas

Tintern Grammar, Vic

Murgong Primary School, Vic

Scotch College, SA

Estella Public School, NSW

Guyra Public School, NSW

Kingswood College, Vic

St Joseph's Queenstown, Tas

Tingha Public School, NSW

Coal Point Public School, NSW

Trinity Catholic School Richmond, Vic

Sutton Public School, NSW 

2020 

Riverbend Primary School, Vic
Targo Public School, NSW
St Joseph's Murgon, QLD
St John's Lutheran, Jindera, NSW
The Cotton On Foundation, Uganda
Eastbourne Primary School, Vic
ISA Science Science City International School, China
Braidwood Public School, NSW
Oakleigh Grammar School, Vic
Hume Anglican Grammar, Vic
Sunshine Coast Grammar, QLD
Hannaford State School, QLD
Murchison Primary School, Vic
Gerogery Public School, NSW
Clapham Primary School SA
Tullibigeal Central School, NSW
Condamine State School, QLD
Cloverdale Primary School, WA
Dookie Primary School, Vic
St Mary's Yarram, Vic
Christian College Geelong, Waurn Ponds
East Loddon P-12 College, Vic
St Mary of the Cross McKillop Epping, Vic
St Peter's PS Epping, Vic
Frankston School, Hamilton, NEW ZEALAND
Pacific Valley Christian School, NSW
St Martin de Porres, Laverton, Vic
Jennings Public School, NSW
Coomera Anglican College, QLD
Penrith Public School, NSW
Holy Spirit School Lavington, NSW
Maimuru Public School, NSW
Kirrawee Public School, NSW
Hunter River Community school, NSW
Bellata Public School, NSW
St Peter's Coleambally, NSW
Ardmona Primary School, Vic
Shortland Public School, NSW
South Melbourne Park Primary School
Pearcedale Primary School, Vic
Broadmeadows Primary School, Vic
Tamworth West Public School, NSW
St James Brighton East Vic
St Joseph's Wagga Wagga, NSW
St Finbar's Brighton, Vic
Deepdene Primary School, Vic
Louth Public School, NSW
Seaford North Primary School, Vic
Sacred Heart Croydon, Vic
St Stephen's College, QLD
Holy Spirit Ringwood, Vic
Moree Public School, NSW
Cundletown Public School, NSW
Tyrrell College, Vic
Mackenzie State Primary School, QLD
Cootamundra Public School, NSW
Wee Waa Public School, NSW
Wanaaring Public School, NSW
Old Noarlunga Public School, NSW
Marymede Catholic College South Morang, Vic
Cohuna Public School, Vic
Abbotsford Public School, NSW
Narrabri West Public School, NSW
St James the Apostle, Hoppers Crossing, Vic
Merredin College, WA
Morwell Central Public School, Vic
Strathmerton Public School, Vic
Resurrection School, Keysborough Vic
Tallimba Public School, NSW
Hamilton Public school, Newcastle NSW
Viewbank PS, Vic
Ascot Vale Specialist School, Vic
St Paul the Apostle North, Endeavour Hills, Vic
South Grafton PS, NSW
Wandin Yallock PS, NSW
Murrurundi PS, NSW
St Joesph's PS Chelsea, Vic
Perseverance PS, French Island, Vic
Crib Point Primary School, Vic
Lennox Head PS, NSW
Plenty Valley Christian College, Vic
Claremont Meadows PS, NSW
St Michael's Manilla, NSW
Kulkarriya Community School, N.T. 
Trinity Catholic School Richmond, Vic
Murchison Primary School, Vic
Tallimba Public School, NSW
Tamworth West PS, NSW 
Anderson's Creek Primary School, Vic 
Blacktown South Public School, NSW

2019

Wodonga West PS, Vic
Tallong Public School, NSW
St Francis de Sales College, SA
Bonnyrigg Public School, NSW 
St Mary's Hamilton, Vic 
Orana Heights PS Dubbo, NSW 
Jindabyne Central School, NSW 
Hunter School of Performing Arts, NSW 
Tea Gardens Public School, NSW
Trinity Anglican College, Wodonga, NSW
St Mary's Seymour, Vic
Tongala Primary School, Vic
Investigator College, SA
Lakelands Public School, NSW
Natimuk Primary School, Vic
Saint Stephen's College, QLD
Hillvue Public School, NSW
Newport Gardens PS, Vic
Dingley PS, Vic
School of the Good Shepherd, Vic
St Joesph's, Warragul, Vic
Katandra West Primary School, Vic
Binnaway Public School, NSW
Spreyton Primary School, Tasmania
Holy Family Mount Waverley, Vic
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Newborough Vic
Nazareth PS Grovedale, Vic
Binalong Public School, NSW
Glenwood Public School, NSW
Pinewood Primary School,Vic
Moree East PS, NSW
St Bernard's, Bacchus Marsh, Vic
Lockwood Primary School, Vic
St Francis of the Field, Strathfieldsaye, Vic
Moama Public School, NSW
Heany Park Primary School, Vic
Selby Primary School, Vic
Woorabinda State School, QLD
Kallista Primary School, Vic
Hebersham Public School, NSW
Williamstown Primary School, Vic
Bellbrae PS, Vic
St Paul's, Coburg, Vic
St Paul's Primary School, Bentleigh, Vic
Rosemeadow Public School, NSW
Ivanhoe Grammar, Vic
Gagebrook Primary School, Tas
St Francis of Assisi, Mill Park, Vic
St Mary's St Kilda East, Vic
Aspendale Gardens PS, Vic
Echuca Specialist School, Vic
Rochester Primary School, Vic
St Brendan's Flemington, Vic
Loreto Normanhust, NSW
St Mary's Bellingen, NSW
Caulfield Junior College, Vic
Footscray City PS, Vic
St Brigid's, Gisborne,Vic
Elwood Primary School, Vic
St Brigid's New Norfolk, Tas 
Toorak College,Vic
Echuca Primary School, Vic
St Peter's, Keilor East, Vic
St Mary's, Whittlesea, Vic
Sacred Heart, Kew, Vic
St Cecilia's Glen Iris, Vic
Mount Eliza North PS, Vic
St Michael's Traralgon , Vic
Mallacoota P-12 College, Vic
Wideview Public School, NSW
Sacred Heart Diamond Creek, Vic
St Mary's Rutherglen, Vic
John Paul II, Hobart, Tas
Kurrajong Public School, NSW
Werrimull Primary School, Vic
Carrathool Public School, NSW
Rockhampton Girls Grammar School, QLD
Puckapunyal Primary School, Vic
Humpty Doo Primary, N.T.
St Anne's, North Albury, NSW
Greenwell Point Public School, NSW 
Birmingham Primary School, Vic
Billanook Primary School, Vic
St Kilian's, Bendigo, Vic
Lutheran School, Wagga Wagga, NSW
Gippsland Grammar, Sale
Sacred Heart School, Corryong
Marlborough Primary School
Somers Primary School
Boggabri Public School, NSW 
St Michael's Deniliquin, NSW
St Francis Tannum Sands, QLD 
 Prince of Peace, QLD 
Exeter Public School, NSW
Sacre Coeur, Glen Iris, Vic
St Peter Chanel PS, Vic
Carrathool Public School, NSW
Curlewis Public School, NSW

2018

 Warialda Public School, NSW
Southern Cross Grammar, Vic
Mathoura Public School, NSW
Holy Rosary, White Hills, Vic
Mentone Grammar, Vic
St Mary's, Malvern East, Vic
St John Bosco, Niddrie, Vic
St Oliver Plunkett, Pascoe Vale, Vic
Concongella Primary School
Delungra Public School, NSW
Belgrave Christian School, Vic
St Anthony's PS Lara, Vic
The Geelong College, Vic
Hohidiai School, INDONESIA
Eltham East Primary School, Vic
St Arnaud Primary School,Vic
Echuca Twin Rivers School 
Lloyd Street PS, Malvern East
Bethesda International Christian School, MOLDOVA
Grandchester State School, QLD
Alexandra Primary School, Vic
Westbourne Park Primary School, SA
Good Shepherd Wheelers Hill, Vic
St Patrick's Albury, NSW
John Palmer Public School, NSW
Cobram Anglican Grammar School, Vic
St Thomas More PS Hadfield, Vic
Emmaus Catholic PS, Sydenham, Vic
Guthrie Street PS, Shepparton, Vic
Leitchville Primary School, Vic
Castlemaine Primary School, Vic
Eastside Lutheran College, Hobart, TAS
Tecoma Primary School, Vic
St Mary's Greensborough, Vic
Manor Lakes P-12 College, Vic
Murrumbeena Primary School, Vic
Mary Mackillop Primary Narre Warren, Vic
St Gabriel's Traralgon, Vic
St Clare's Truganina, Vic
Lowther Hall, Vic
Waverley Gardens Primary School, Vic
Cana Hillside, Vic
Ruyton Girls' School, Vic
Beaumaris North PS Vic
Huntly Primary School, Vic
St Liborius, Eaglehawke, Vic
Specimen Hill PS, Vic
Elmore Primary School, Vic
Boort District School, Vic
Our Lady of the Nativity, Aberfeldie, Vic
Nathalia Primary School, Vic
St Francis Nathalia, Vic
Tallygaroopna Primary School
St Joseph's Numurkah
Lemnos Primary School
Katunga Primary School
St Robert's Geelong
Apollo Bay P-12 College
St Joseph’s Cobram
Table Top PS, NSW
Windsor Primary School
Caulfield South Primary School
Leibler Yavneh College
Colac West PS
Templestowe Park Primary School
St Francis of Assisi, Wodonga, NSW
Christ the Priest, Caroline Springs
St Patrick's Stratford
St Mary's Bairnsdale
Hillcrest Christian College
Gilson College
Torquay Coast Primary School
South Melbourne Primary School
Lake Boga Primary School

 

 

2017

Fintona Girls' Grammar 
Islamic College of Melbourne
Al Iman College
Tatura Primary School
Southmoor Primary School
Rosanna Golf Links Primary School
St Patrick’s Camperdown
Seaford Park Primary School
Colac Specialist School
St Michael’s Heyfield
Ballarat North Primary School
Lauriston Girls School
Billanook College
Ballarat Grammar
St Monica’s Wodonga, NSW
Our Lady Help of Christian’s Wendouree
St Margaret’s East Geelong
Lysterfield Primary School
Kilmore Primary School
St Peter’s Sunshine
St Paul’s Sunshine West
Al Siraat College
California Gully Primary School
Victory Christian College, Bendigo
Nunawading Christian School
Berwick Primary School
Barwon Heads Primary School
St Mary’s Ascot Vale
St Leo The Great Altona North
St Patrick’s Kilmore
Mentone Girls’ Grammar
Cathedral College Wangaratta
Camberwell Girls Grammar
St Leonard's College

 

 

 

2016

Axedale Primary School
Covenant College Geelong
St John’s Preston
Chario Christian Pakenham
Lightning Reef Primary School
Oatlands Primary School
Gardenvale Primary School
Flowerdale Primary School
Euroa Primary School
Creek Street Christian College
Korowa AGS
Education Department in Vanua Lavu, FIJI
St Brigid’s Mordialloc
Kialla West Primary School
Kialla Central Primary School
Ilim College
Melbourne Grammar
Kilvington Grammar
Yea Primary School
Yarra Valley Grammar
Middle Park Primary
St Carlo Borromeo
Good News Lutheran College
St Simon’s, Rowville
Xavier Brighton
Carey Donvale
Sussex Heights Primary School
Wesley College, St Kilda Rd
Solway Primary School
Yeshiva College
Avenel Primary School
Adass Israel
Overnewton College
St Columba’s, Ballarat
Hillcrest Christian College
The Scots School, NSW

 

 

2015

Oxley College
Deutsche School Melbourne
Good Shepherd Croydon
Brighton Grammar
Our Lady Southern Cross, Wyndham Vale
Mentone Park Primary School
St Joseph’s, Boronia
Westbourne Grammar School
St Thomas More, Ballarat
St Alipius, Ballarat
Sandringham East Primary School
Glenroy Private
Our lady Help of Christians, Warrnambool
Aitken College
St Paul’s Anglican Grammar
Loretto College, Toorak
Cranbourne Park Primary School
East Bentleigh Primary School
Newhaven College
St Augustine’s, Maryborough
Ballarat Christian College
Kaliana Specialist School, Bendigo
Beaconhills College, Berwick
Mount Evelyn Christian College
Casey Grammar School, Cranbourne