ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the development of engaging, exciting spelling lessons in which pupil talk plays a major role. It describes three teaching strategies are the spelling investigation, the spelling challenge and the collaborative spelling test. The ways the words which make up the English language are spelt is fascinating. Spelling challenges can be a useful way of approaching how children might respond to the spelling errors in their writing. This process begins with children taking some responsibility for their own learning by underlining the words they think are spelt incorrectly. Talk for spelling occurs in individual challenge process firstly through the discussion between teacher and child about the errors. Spelling challenges can work at four levels: the group spelling challenge, whole-class challenges, whole-school challenges, and individual challenges. A whole-school spelling challenge takes the class challenge into the wider school. Sometimes the collaborative test can be used, perhaps after a spelling investigation or challenge.
