Students can access the program at home as well as at school. Teachers can plan lessons & view progress from anywhere. Wordshark can be used on computers, Chromebooks or iPads.
Students take a placement ‘test’ (spelling games), which places them in an automatic progression mode, ‘Supershark’ – great for independent learning. Teachers can provide help where it is really needed.
The lists familiarise students with basic vocabulary in different subjects in secondary school, including Maths, English, the 3 Sciences, D&T, Geography, Music and Citizenship. PDF
You can also set work for students choosing from any of the courses and word lists. You can also create and select your own lists.
Whilst keeping the features that work, Wordshark Online offers a placement test, automatic progression, access for anywhere on a range of devices, photos for each word…and more!
Word Search & Crossword worksheets are great for practice or revision, used in the classroom/as homework.
As a dyslexia tutor this is the most effective tool I have found which allows a student to make progress whilst working alone, as well as being able to use it as a basis for additional support lessons. The range of options for games keeps students with dyslexia or EAL focussed on a much higher level of overlearning needed to make good progress, than they would otherwise engage with.
Sharon Tringham PGCE (Canterbury Christ Church); BA Hons (Open); FdA Learner Support (Greenwich); SpLd Dip (Hornsby); member of PATOSS and National Assoc., of Handwriting.
It has been incredibly helpful for my class as the algorithm works around their need. It can identify where the gaps are in the children’s knowledge and provides a number of activities to help the children learn and apply the spellings which have been taught. The reports as well have been helpful as they highlight the spelling rule they are currently learning and level of progress they have made from it. There are email reminders for those children who have not been engaging or have found a specific spelling rule which is difficult. What I love most about the program it moves on when the children are ready. If any errors or mistakes have been made, it will revert back to the core spelling rule.
Teacher at St John’s CE Primary School, Tunbridge Wells
Students are able to use Wordshark both in school and at home, which gives parents the opportunity to see their child’s progress and be involved in the learning process.
Stephanie Walmsley, Head of Middle School & Support Services and IMYC, JFK International School
In particular, I like the early introduction of 2 syllable words using learned vowel patterns in the Wordshark Course. My clients also love playing the reward games. It is easy to set lists for them to do and to match whichever intervention program I am using. I have matched it both to our reading program for younger children and to our rewards program for pre-teens and teens.
Robyn Monaghan, Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
Courses include National Curriculum spellings, Alpha to Omega, High frequency words, and Everyday vocabulary for students new to English. Word lists are presented in a format to support your spelling lessons. Your own lists can also be added.
Even reluctant students are motivated by Wordshark! Multi-sensory, carefully thought-through games and structured word lists make the program ideal for SEND. The courses and games are perfect for students learning English as an additional language.
The choice of activities, concepts and words make Wordshark suitable for ages 5-16, from early introduction to phonics right through to spelling support in secondary school, filling gaps in knowledge or for learning specialist vocabulary.
Each motivating game has a sound educational purpose helping to develop a variety of reading and spelling skills – not just rote practice. There are also games for synthetic phonics.
Wordshark is easy to use but also hugely versatile – easily adjusted to the needs of each student. You can set work, use automatic progression or ‘dip’ into the program…and you can create your own words lists.
Wordshark records track time spent on games and shows results – with errors clearly highlighted. Regular, short sessions and a mixture of games e.g. using ‘Supershark’ ensures success!