Introduction to the USspeller - A Tutorial


Word Lists

The tutorial starts by selecting a word list. There are a large number of lists for
each of the six Primary School Grades and Kindergarten.
Sets of advanced lists and frequently used words are also provided suitable for adults,
more advanced Grade 6 students and High School Students.
The lists are accessible from the opening page - Index Page
There are many different types of lists for each grade that include:
=> Graded Lists - words suitable for the Grade selected
=> Frequently misspelt words
=> List based on double consonants (e.g. 'tt') or other components (e.g. 'ought').
=> Lists based on common themes (e.g. animals, foods, environment etc.)

The word lists are being updated, so check for additions and changes.

The words in the list can be viewed and printed using the teacher's link at the top of the
page for the grade lists.
For example the Grade 5 list of words for the lists is Grade 5 words
These lists are printed with five columns for students to practise the words in the conventional way.
Teachers can set spelling tasks by nominating the name of the list for their students.

Starting the Tutorial

When you or your students click on the List Name the Tutorial Page will open with the
word loaded. The Level of the List, its name and the number of words in the list will be
shown at the top left side of the page.
You can select another list by clicking the >New List button.

Getting the First Word and Next Word

You load the first word by clicking the >Next Word button, or by pressing the 'Ctrl'' key

This starts the count down timer from 100 seconds, and displays:
=>A definition of the word to be spelt.
=>A simple sentence with the word in its usual context.
=>A display of the letters required for the word, their number and the first letter.
=>After a short delay the word will be voiced by the computer.

Note: Please make sure that the computer's sound is switched on and set an appropriate level.
Also ensure that the option to accept sounds, is switched on. This can be set from the Internet Options menu item
You can hear the sound again at any time by pressing the >Play Sound Again button.

Trying a Word

The user can enter a trial spelling into the field. The trial can be tested by pressing
the >Try It button, or by pressing the Return or Enter key.
=> If the trial is correct a >Yes! That's Right - Score is 90 message will be displayed
with the score for this word. The score is simply the number of seconds required to get the correct answer.

=> If the trial is incorrect a >Sorry Try Again message will flash

Getting Hints

If the user is having trouble with the word he or she can click the >Needs Hints button.
A list of six misspellings of the word and the correct spelling will be shown down the left side of the page.
You cannot click on these words - this was done deliberately to encourage the user
to type the word. There is a penalty for doing this for all users except for Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students.
The maximum possible score with hints displayed is 50.

Giving Up

If the user is having trouble with the word he or she can press the >Give Up button
The correct word will be displayed. There is no score for giving up.

Scoring

The score is simply the average number of seconds taken to get the spelling correct.
When a correct word is typed the score for that word is displayed.
The progressive score is simply the average scores of all completed words.
An encouraging 'Wizards' grading system is used as the scoring grade based on
the score range, for example - 'Merlin', 'Gendalf', 'Appentice'.
All the grades sound 'good', yet teachers can quickly assess how well the students are going.
Both the average scores and 'Wizard' are updated after each word, so that students can leave the
list at any time and get their score to date.
Updating the scores after each word acts as a stimulus for students to lift their grades
during a session.

Loading a New List

You can select another list by clicking the >New List button.
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