Grapheme Tiles now uploaded in units 7 to 12

[debbie]

Grapheme Tiles are available throughout the programme in units 1 to 12.

They can be used in different ways but perhaps the best way of using them is for spelling activities where learners select Grapheme Tiles instead of, or prior to, writing down the words.

They are also a useful resource for 'sending home' when learners commence a unit of work. This could simply be in paper format - but some schools make up phonics activities and games by laminating them (or printing them on card) and then these are 'borrowed' by learners to use at home.

Grapheme Tiles are particularly helpful in the early stages of learning to read and spell. When learners are very young, for example, they may not be fluent at handwriting and therefore it can be more appropriate for learners to 'select' grapheme tiles when undertaking spelling activities. This can be instead of, or prior to, writing the words.

It could be, therefore, that the Grapheme Tiles are more useful in the earlier units in terms of them being made up into permanent resources.

They make a good equivalent of 'magnetic letters' as they can be laminated and then sticky-backed magnetic tape stuck onto the back of each tile. I actually prefer these to magnetic letters but that is just my personal choice!

Parents using them at home with learners could make up sets for use on the fridge as an alternative to purchasing a magnetic whiteboard!

One handy idea is to print off the sets of Grapheme Tiles on pale paper which is just a paler version of the colour-code of each unit. So, unit 1 tiles would be in a pale turquoise, and unit 2 would be in a pale green and so on. This helps with organisation of the programme but can also be more fun to use the different colours throughout the programme. There is a greater sense of progress for both teachers and learners!

The Grapheme Tiles are available in two versions. One version has grey and black graphemes according to whether they are code for consonant or vowel phonemes. The other version is in 'dark teal' which simply 'rings the changes' and is another way of distinguishing pieces of this resource compared to other grapheme resources.