Why do the spelling placement tests not cover all the phonic concepts?
The teaching sequences are broader than the items within the placement screens. The screens do not assess every concept within each stage.
Why?
PLD aim's for the testing to be relatively time efficient. If presenting 30+ concepts for each stage, the test would become LENGTHY.
It is a small sample to orientate students to a stage.
* Keep in mind Stage 1, 2 and 3 in the Teaching Sequence Manuals present 4 terms of teaching and Stages 4, 5 and 6 present 5 terms of teaching. This is despite an smaller group of ket concepts being presented in the placement test.
Lower Primary
The Year 1 & 2 Spelling Placement Screens are designed to track the development of single word spelling ability based upon PLD’s Structured Synthetic Phonics sequence.
The information gained will:
highlight the areas requiring further targeted teaching
support teachers in grouping students
assist in the allocation of word lists
Refer to the Year 1 & 2 Screening & Tracking Manual for information about when to schedule these assessments. Please note that the test words will change every term.
The tracking sheets are used to record assessment data each term.
Upper Primary
The Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Spelling Placement Screens are designed to track the development of single-word spelling based upon PLD’s Structured Synthetic Phonics sequence.
The purpose of these screens is to:
identify skill development each term
assist in planning targeted teaching
support allocation of phonic-based spelling teaching and learning concepts
place students at an appropriate level in a relatively time-efficient manner
Refer to the Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Screening & Tracking Manual for information about when to schedule these assessments. Please note that the test words will change every term.
The tracking sheets are used to record assessment data each term.
Teaching Sequence
The Teaching Sequence will, when students are age appropriate or advanced, present 38 weeks of teaching at each stage.
The placement tests will give teachers enough information to create focus groups.
Why?
PLD aim's for the testing to be relatively time efficient. If presenting 30+ concepts for each stage, the test would become LENGTHY.
It is a small sample to orientate students to a stage.
* Keep in mind Stage 1, 2 and 3 in the Teaching Sequence Manuals present 4 terms of teaching and Stages 4, 5 and 6 present 5 terms of teaching. This is despite an smaller group of ket concepts being presented in the placement test.
Lower Primary
The Year 1 & 2 Spelling Placement Screens are designed to track the development of single word spelling ability based upon PLD’s Structured Synthetic Phonics sequence.
The information gained will:
highlight the areas requiring further targeted teaching
support teachers in grouping students
assist in the allocation of word lists
Refer to the Year 1 & 2 Screening & Tracking Manual for information about when to schedule these assessments. Please note that the test words will change every term.
The tracking sheets are used to record assessment data each term.
Upper Primary
The Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Spelling Placement Screens are designed to track the development of single-word spelling based upon PLD’s Structured Synthetic Phonics sequence.
The purpose of these screens is to:
identify skill development each term
assist in planning targeted teaching
support allocation of phonic-based spelling teaching and learning concepts
place students at an appropriate level in a relatively time-efficient manner
Refer to the Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Screening & Tracking Manual for information about when to schedule these assessments. Please note that the test words will change every term.
The tracking sheets are used to record assessment data each term.
Teaching Sequence
The Teaching Sequence will, when students are age appropriate or advanced, present 38 weeks of teaching at each stage.
The placement tests will give teachers enough information to create focus groups.
Updated on: 02/05/2024
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