Apples and Pears Book A: Teacher's Notes

Apples & Pears is a spelling programme that really works—even with pupils with poor memories or SEN. Built around phonics and morphemes, the scripted lessons are very easy to use; all of the lesson planning and monitoring is built in making it ideal for parents and Teaching Assistants. It progresses through the English spelling code, starting with single letters. Common, less predictable patterns are added next and finally the morphemes that are the building blocks of so many of our longer words—with the rules that cement them together. All through the programme, high frequency, less regular words are trickled in. The basics of grammar are included too. Everything is practised and reviewed until it is automatic. Book A introduces English spelling for absolute beginners, starting with tracing single letters and segmenting cvc words. A range of spelling patterns (he, she, me, by, my, why), digraphs and morphemes are taught. Common irregular words are added at a controlled rate. Basic punctuation receives explicit instruction and is reinforced by sentence dictation.