|
Teaching Guide
This is contained in Book 1. Since most users have access to the full scheme, it was felt unnecessary to print these pages in each book. Much of the Guide is available on the Internet, on: www.robinswood.com and can be printed out. The Guide contains the Lesson Format, the Programme Structure, two Assessment Sheets, the Record Chart, a Student Progress Chart and a Certificate of Achievement. All items in the Scheme are photocopiable for use within one institution by administrators of the Scheme, and by students for both class and home work.
Book 1
Book 1 is for the beginner. It introduces the alphabet and distinguishes the vowels and the consonants, in a series of individually designed lessons. This stage obviously requires teaching support. Later lessons focus upon the letters i, n, p, s, t, a, b and d, which give rise to blends 'sn', 'sp', 'st', '-nd' and '-nt'. Lessons 6, 8, 9 and 10 introduce the learner to the lesson design consistent to the remaining books.
Books 2 to 8
Each lesson in Books 2 to 8 covers a different topic. Worksheets highlight spelling rules and specific letter blends and sounds. These seven books, containing 70 lessons, provide the essential coverage of the elements of the English language. A detailed description of each of the eight worksheets is given in the Lesson Format on pages 10 to 13.
Books 9 and 10
These books present some key spelling rules and other intricate spelling patterns which are particularly essential for whole class work and which complement the topics in Books 4 to 7. These lesson topics, such as 'Doubling Letters', 'Soft 'g' (j) Sound' 'Prefixes', and 'Silent Letters' have been selected for special treatment because of their complexity and due to their general importance to the English language. To maintain the integrity of the cumulative, structured approach, the lessons in these two books should be presented sequentially to dovetail with lessons throughout Books 4 to 7, as shown in the Lifeboat Programme Structure on pages 14 to 15. The Review at the end of Book 10 encompasses the Whole Scheme.
Review and Post-test Lessons
In line with the Whole Scheme Review of Book 10, the last lesson - Lesson 10 - in Books 1 to 8 is a Review and Post-test, which consolidates all previous work in the scheme. These can also be used for assessment.
'Challenge' Words
'Challenge' words are included in the lessons. These are words that do not follow the usual rules (odd words) or the usual sounds (sight words) - often called 'helping words'. 'Challenge' words also refer to words which include elements only covered in a later topic (early words). Generally, odd words are indicated with an asterisk (*) on the first page of the lesson in which they appear (above the tracking exercise). Common sight words, such as: 'was', 'their', 'are', 'who', 'your', 'said', 'very', 'where', 'were', 'many' and 'here', and early words, which appear out of structure, are listed in the Lesson Notes, as appropriate, for information. Some place and country names used in the text fall into these categories.
Lesson Notes
A more detailed introduction to each lesson topic, including spelling rules, sounds and 'challenge' words - sight words and early words - is found in each book just before Lesson 1.
Answers
To assist marking of work (whether by the teacher, assistant, parent or student), answers for each page are included at the end of each book. These have been completed in cursive handwriting. |
