The Spotlight Series

The Spotlight Series

Gillian Aitken

The Spotlight series provides focused teacher support in areas that have been proven
to benefit from extra attention – in mainstream as well as special needs applications. (For background details- click here)

Spotlight on Blends Book 1

Phonic activities on initial consonant blends to improve spelling skills, reading accuracy and phonological awareness.

Spotlight on Blends Book 1 provides material to encourage systematic practice with blends at the beginning of words.

The tasks in the two Spotlight on Blends books are varied. However, the main emphasis is on developing phonological awareness by means of sound blending, rhyming and careful contrasting of blends which are similar in sound. Research shows that training in such skills leads to improved reading accuracy and spelling.

Often the tasks are embedded in a meaningful linguistic context, and the various sentence-completion exercises, vocabulary quizzes and anagram puzzles aim to extend vocabulary and enhance comprehension and thinking skills. The worksheets thus have a wide application in terms of developing language skills and are designed to cater for different levels of skill and individual need.

In Book 1 - Initial Consonant Blends, the Level 1 worksheets are suitable for pupils in the early stages of a structured literacy propramme, while the Level 2 worksheets will provide a challenge for older secondary aged students or even adults.

All the worksheets have a clear, uncluttered visual layout which will enable many students to work independently. However, detailed teaching notes and guidelines accompany the worksheets to enable the teacher to guide the pupil when necessary.

Click images below to see sample worksheets:

Click for Contents List

[ISBN: 978-1-869981-556]

Spotlight on Blends Book 2

Phonic activities on end consonant blends to improve spelling skills, reading accuracy and phonological awareness.

Spotlight on Blends Book 2 provides material to encourage systematic practice with blends at the end of words.

The tasks and benefits of Spotlight on Blends Book 2 complement Book 1, although the focus is on blends at the end of words.

Click images below to see sample worksheets:

Click for Contents List

[ISBN: 978-1-869981-563]

Spotlight on Suffixes Book 1

Common Suffixes and Suffixing Rules Years 1 to 5 and Special Needs

The 75 worksheets in Spotlight on Suffixes Book 1 introduce the most common suffixes in English in a systematic manner, focusing on both the grammatical function of the suffix and the spelling rules concerning the joining of suffixes to base words. Suffixes which can be pronounced differently according to context such as the '-ed' past tense verb ending are highlighted for special practice.

The more common suffixes have worksheets at two levels of difficulty allowing for differentiated work within mixed ability classrooms. Spelling skills are thus very much linked to grammatical awareness and, by completing the worksheets, students will also extend their vocabulary and knowledge of word derivations.

The worksheets are a useful complement to any structured literacy programme, improving spelling skills as well as raising language awareness in general, particularly in the area of grammar and word meanings. Teachers will find the material in these books very useful for pupils from Years 1 to 6 (or from Key Stages 1 to 3) especially for differentiated work when implementing the National Literacy Strategy.

The clear and uncluttered layout of the worksheets will also make them an ideal resource for Special Needs teachers working in the field of literacy with pupils of all ages. The comprehensive coverage of the subject is completed through additional appendices, word lists and detailed Teachers Notes and Guidelines.

Click images below to see sample worksheets:

Click for Contents List

[ISBN: 978-1-869981-600]

Spotlight on Suffixes Book 2

Suffix Recognition and Use, Spelling Rules, Grammar and Vocabulary Years 4 to 6 and Key Stage 3

Spotlight on Suffixes Book 2, with over 80 worksheets, extends the work in Book 1 on common suffixes and suffixing rules. The book is in two parts, Part 1 dealing with basic suffix recognition and also giving systematic coverage of the spelling rules by which suffixes are joined to base words. This Part provides extensive practice of the 'double', 'drop -e', and 'change y to i' rules. Part 2 focuses on individual verb, noun and adjective suffixes such as '-ate', '-ify', '-ity', '-ment', '-ous', '-ible', and others.

The more common suffixes have worksheets at two levels of difficulty allowing for differentiated work within mixed ability classrooms. Spelling skills are thus very much linked to grammatical awareness and, by completing the worksheets, students will also extend their vocabulary and knowledge of word derivations.

The worksheets in both these books are a useful complement to any structured literacy programme, improving spelling skills as well as raising language awareness in general, particularly in the area of grammar and word meanings. Teachers will find the material in these books very useful for pupils from Years 1 to 6 (or Key Stages 1 to 3) especially for differentiated work when implementing the National Literacy Strategy.

The clear and uncluttered layout of the worksheets will also make them an ideal resource for Special Needs teachers working in the field of literacy with pupils of all ages. The comprehensive coverage of the subject is completed through additional appendices, word lists and detailed Teacher's Notes and Guidelines.

Click images below to see sample worksheets:

Click for Contents List

[ISBN: 978-1-869981-617]

Spotlight on Words Book 1

Phonic wordsearch puzzles and activities

This is a collection of 30 wordsearch puzzles and fill-in-the-blank activities designed to help in the development of spelling skills. Each puzzle is based on a specific vowel or sound combination, so the book can be used by teachers as part of a structured approach to spelling and to concentrate learning activity where it is needed most.

The skills developed by Spotlight on Words Book 1 include:

- visual discrimination through searching for hidden words.
- alphabetic sequencing practice by listing the words found.
- following contextual clues through fill-in-the-blank exercises.
- use of a process of elimination by completing the more difficult blanks.
- use of the connection between spelling and meaning.
- development of the ability to spot capital letters.
- understanding word segmentation and syllable blending.

The puzzles are most appropriate for ages 9 to 12 but they are also valuable over a wider age range, including adults and those learning English as a Second Language. The clear design of the puzzles guides the reader's eye and the hidden words run only across or down, making this book an excellent resource for dyslexic students.

Click images below to see sample worksheets:

Click for Contents List

[ISBN: 978-1-869981-518]

Spotlight on Words Book 2

Phonic wordsearch puzzles and activities

This collection of 40 wordsearch puzzles and fill-in-the-blank activities is designed to help in the development of spelling skills. Each puzzle is based on a specific vowel or sound combination, so the book can be used by teachers as part of a structured approach to spelling and to concentrate learning activity where it is needed most. The skills developed by Spotlight on Words Book 2 include:

- visual discrimination through searching for hidden words.
- alphabetic sequencing practice by listing the words found.
- following contextual clues through fill-in-the-blank exercises.
- use of a process of elimination by completing the more difficult blanks.
- use of the connection between spelling and meaning.
- development of the ability to spot capital letters.
- understanding word segmentation and syllable blending.

The puzzles are most appropriate for ages 9 to 12 but they are also valuable over a wider age range, including adults and those learning English as a Second Language. Book 2 is particulaly suitable for Years 6 to 8, Key Stages 2 and 3 and extends the material of Spotlight on Words Book 1. As a wider range of phonic patterns is covered in Book 2, with the focus on longer multi-syllable words in many of the wordsearches, the material allows for differentiated work within both the mainstream and special needs classroom. The clear design of the puzzles guides the reader's eye and the hidden words run only across or down, making this book an excellent resource for dyslexic students.

Click images below to see sample worksheets :

Click for Contents List

[ISBN: 978-1-869981-730]