1. Hand out one of the learner profiles and writing samples to each tutor, pair of tutors or small group, so that they aren’t all working on the same profile. Make sure that you hand out matching profiles and writing samples (refer to the Learner Profile number at the top of each handout).
  2. Ask tutors to develop a list of five words for the learner in the profile based on the points in Choosing Spelling Words. The profiles should provide ideas for themes in the learner’s life that might require writing, and the writing samples have at least one error with which to start.
  3. Ask tutors to make notes on one or two general approaches they might use, like focusing on homonyms. Use the case study as an example.
  4. Ask tutors to choose one technique that they might use from the Spelling and Sensory Learning Styles handout, like becoming a human photocopy machine.
  5. Tutors should use the handouts A Few Useful Spelling Rules and 100 Most Often Misspelled Words to assess problems and develop lists.
  6. Give tutors ample time to do all this. If you have extra time, talk about the profiles before they start work.
  7. Circulate among tutors and offer help.
  8. When all tutors have something down for all three tasks, ask if anyone (or any group) would like to share their ideas. Ask them to describe the learner for the benefit of those who worked on a different profile. Then ask them for the spelling word list, general strategies and one technique. Thank them and ask for additional suggestions from the rest of the group.
  9. Ask for more people to share as you have time.

Facilitation tip

When people have taken a risk by sharing ideas as individuals, in pairs or in small groups, acknowledge their contribution by saying “thank you” or by remarking on or asking a question about what they have said. As facilitator, you can take more risks in asking for clarification than the other tutors, but model doing so respectfully, so that no one is ever sorry they took the risk of putting an idea in front of the group.



The importance of creating an atmosphere in which there is freedom to “make mistakes” cannot be overestimated.

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