A meaningful way to teach sounds, letters and common words.
SMART Foundation uses a meaningful sequence to teach sounds and letters from a ‘Word of the Week’ and explicitly teaches common words from ‘The Sentence of the Week’!
The 'Word of the Week' inspires curiosity, excitement, hands-on shared experiences, rich oral language and most importantly…fun…and that makes learning stick! Phonics is taught explicitly and systematically in a carefully structured sequence from the Words of the Week.
‘The Sentence of the Week’ places the most commonly seen words into meaningful sentences. These common words are explicitly taught by the classroom teacher and there is also home learning to support this called…‘My Weekly Words’
Enjoy a meaningful way to teach sounds, letters and common words in a related way that makes the most of meaning! You and your kids will have so much fun!
SMART Foundation includes video training, that is supported by printable notes and 6 digital downloads (see below in the blue section) that contain everything you need to use this approach straight away!
The weekly posters display the word of the week broken into sound boxes and the sentence of the week with words from the 100 most commonly seen words in black.
The powerpoint display revises the key learning of sounds, letters and common words for the whole year to use of your whiteboard in your classroom daily.
My Weekly Words can be sent home to reinforces what has been taught at school for sounds, letters and common words.
Printable materials to use for assessment of letters, sounds and common words that have been taught. Also a word doc to record data.
All of the words of the week and the sentences of the week too! The handwriting materials are currently available in: Sassoon Font, Victorian Cursive, South Australian Beginner, NSW Manuscript and QLD Beginner.
A yearly overview with hyperlinks to suggested books, songs, videos, craft and inspiration for shared experiences!
The SMART Foundation Sequence
The structured sequence of sounds, letters and common words to build confidence in beginners.
Phase 1: c, a, t, n, i, p
Common words: the, on, that, had, a, it, is, in, big, this, and, off
Phase 2: s, u, e, l, g, b, d
Common words: was, up, but, not, went, get, I, to, of, my, they, are
Phase 3: o, j, m, h, f, r
Common words: we, can, with, play, he, will, just, have, like, her, come, here, see, an, old
Phase 4: z, y, w, x, v
Common Words: can, do, up, our, mum, dad, said, look, at, your
Phase 5: ar, k, ng, ay, sh
Common words: you, must, down, going, to, all, his, Sunday, love, could, over, by
Phase 6: ck, ea, ch, er, ea, th
Common words: weekend, back, were, then, which, them, there, other
Phase 7: or, th, mb, wh, ee, q, u
Common words: an, you, from, one, has, two, been, looking, some, so, much, holiday
Phase 8: a, tch, air, igh
Common words: where, what, looked, before, into, friend, for, have, right, now
Phase 9: a – e, i – e, o – e,
Common words: when, good, make, who, first, well, because, home
Maddi Cooper, AIS Singapore
Over the last 2 1/2 years I have been using SMART Foundation in my Prep classroom. It was fantastic to learn a new way to teach spelling, reading and writing that made sense, was relevant and helped to produce enthusiastic, confident and capable students within my classroom. The results speak for themselves, students are producing work well above expected level in reading, writing and spelling.
Jenny Hammond, Beaconhills College
Jane Curran, Lauriston
The positive effect on the children’s ability to decode and connect with the word of the week has been evident, their knowledge of letter sound relationships gives them confidence and the children see themselves as readers and writers. The parents at our school are supportive as the program makes sense and they are seeing a huge positive impact on their children’s ability to read and write. We are proud to share the impact this program has had with our colleagues and the community.
Paula Bissinella, Ballarat Grammar
Tracey and Bek
SMART Foundation have given me a spring in the way I teach especially teaching little ones. I am amazed at the progress and confidence this group of children have acquired. Parents too are giving us back such positive feedback. I love coming to work every day - yes it is not just about the children but about the support and knowledge you have given us as teachers. Thank you so much.
Joanie Arnel, St Joseph's Numurkah
Andrea Walter, Lauriston
“The best she has ever used in 25 years of teaching” is what Prep teacher Andrea Walter thinks about the new SMART Foundation that is being implemented at Lauriston.
Lauriston Life Magazine, Edition 3, September 2017
Katherine Hall, St Leonard's College
I absolutely love it. My Preps love it. It's so easy to follow, everything you need is there. The best part is that the progress that I have seen is incredible. Their writing, reading and spelling foundations are solid. Their writing and spelling is way beyond a prep level.
Maxine Reichenberg, Adass Israel School
