Wordshark for specific uses
For a spelling lesson on an IWB
Introduce a spelling rule on the IWB
(finding the relevant list in Wordshark using 'Search'). You might like to
create a teacher account for teachers to use on IWBs with no student records in
so that if the computer is left unattended for any reason no sensitive material
can be accessed.
Supporting deaf students
Study ‘My Play Words’ very carefully
- to focus on any repeated letter pattern/s. Use the phonics slider for
phonemes, and the vowels slider to see syllables, and the splits slider also
for syllables – and for the morphemic structure of the words.
For words with a given visual
pattern that have photo support, you can use most of the reading games. For the spelling games, use 'Salvage' and 'Sharks' –
using the ‘peep’ facility more like a ‘Look, say, cover, write, check’
The game ‘pattern’ can be used, which isn't dependent on sound.
Any relevant syllable games can be used.
The 'Sentence' game and any photos
can be used to put the words into context.
You could print out the word
list (from the ‘My Play Words’ screen) on card and use these as flash cards.
You could also print the
Wordsearch and Sentence games as worksheets.
Secondary School, Subject vocabulary, English as an additional language (EAL)
Consider printing out the Secondary school subject lists pdf, or
access on screen, for students to familiarise themselves with. They will not
have automatic access to these so you will need to set some lists that they can
work through as set work –
or consider granting them free access i.e.
allowing 'Free Play' (the
latter incidentally doesn’t involve obligatory spelling tests).
For larger year group cohort
Keep an eye where individual students are
placed in Supershark, (sharing this duty among staff!), and check that all are
happy. Use the onscreen group report under Student Progress for this and
scroll down the students. Go to Set work > Change level - Supershark button to move any student in Supershark.
In addition to the default placement test and automatic progression, you can choose the 'High Frequency Words' course when setting work. You can also add your own words which SNIP also mentions as a benefit of using Wordshark.
Wordshark includes carefully thought-through games, structured lists, and a phonic approach. It provides the ‘overlearning’ that is often needed. For examples of why Wordshark supports students with Dyslexia as well as tips on using the program: https://www.wordshark.co.uk/wordshark/schools/send/
Both ‘Supershark’ (automatic progression
course), (via the Shark challenge placement test), and assigning Set Work can
provide a helpful, structured way of working, as opposed to allowing 'Free Play'
- Ask students to look at their work and identify the words they have trouble with, then create personalised word lists for them and assign the lists as set work. Bringing in images/photos would be beneficial so that the word isn’t dependant on the sound – unless you photo the word and use that as an image!
- Alternatively, you could sit with the student and create the personalised list/s together. The student can record their own voice.
With personalised lists students can learn the words without having to do spelling tests at
regular intervals which may be helpful. Note: you won’t see records of this though.
Wordshark Online Minimum requirements
Wordshark Online needs: Robust high speed broadband/fibre connectivity A browser: Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari: For Windows we recommend Chrome For Mac and iPad we recommend Safari 8 inch Minimum Screen size 1024 x 768 or higher resolution *For ...
A visual introduction to Wordshark!
Tutor Introduction to Wordshark (opens new browser tab with PDF) includes: Part 1 – First run for tutors (4 slides) Adding students Student logins Lists & Games Part 2 – General introduction to the different modes – Supershark, Set work, Free Play A ...
Using Wordshark Online with Zoom / Microsoft Teams
Using Zoom Sharing the screen - Zoom help centre. Handing over mouse control - Zoom help centre. 1 person at a time logged into Wordshark For the best experience only one computer/device should have the Wordshark program open at a time. This is ...
How do students login to Wordshark?
Students can use Wordshark using Chrome (including Chromebooks), Edge, Firefox, and Safari. To make sure your computer and browser are ready to run Wordshark: Check Wordshark System Requirements Check your internet connectivity requirements ...
Teaching Notes for the 'Wordshark' Course
Short explanation of what teaching notes cover Units 1-4 matching speech to written symbols The teaching notes include different approaches and may well open doors less often mentioned. This gives them great potential value for working with older ...
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