Creating Learning Partners: A facilitator’s guide for training effective adult literacy tutors

Activity D (optional activity)

Using learning styles to teach spelling

Why choose this activity?

This activity ties the concept of learning styles to spelling techniques. The tutors will gain experience in demonstrating spelling techniques and will explore some other spelling ideas related to sensory learning styles. The only drawback is that the activity does require quite a bit of time.

Demonstration using handouts, practice
Materials and equipment Handout 8.10: Spelling and Sensory Learning Styles (3 pages) Flip chart and markers Any of the items below that you can find: File cards Plasticine Graph paper Scrabble game Scissors Sandpaper or coarse cloth Magnetic letters Other word games that involve spelling Letter dice A series of containers and something to put in them (e.g., seven bowls and seven marbles) Preparation Copy handout. Gather as many of the items as possible from the list above as you will use them to demonstrate spelling techniques. STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS Remind tutors of the sensory learning styles covered in Unit 3, Learning Styles. Tell tutors that they will be presenting and demonstrating a technique to the rest of the tutors. Each technique will be appropriate for one of the sensory learning styles. Explain that this will give them practice in explaining a technique to their learners as well as the chance to learn how spelling can be taught in the learning style of any individual.

Demonstration using handouts, practice

Materials and equipment

Handout 8.10: Spelling and Sensory Learning Styles (3 pages)
Flip chart and markers
Any of the items below that you can find:
File cards
Plasticine
Graph paper
Scrabble game
Scissors
Sandpaper or coarse cloth
Magnetic letters
Other word games that involve spelling
Letter dice
A series of containers and something to put in them (e.g., seven bowls and seven marbles)

Preparation

Copy handout.
Gather as many of the items as possible from the list above as you will use them to demonstrate spelling techniques.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Remind tutors of the sensory learning styles covered in Unit 3, Learning Styles.
Tell tutors that they will be presenting and demonstrating a technique to the rest of the tutors. Each technique will be appropriate for one of the sensory learning styles. Explain that this will give them practice in explaining a technique to their learners as well as the chance to learn how spelling can be taught in the learning style of any individual.