Synopsis: If you struggle with using a conventional dictionary, then this one could be perfect for you. Handy spelling hints and a simple layout guide you to the right spelling.

Review: The Primary Spelling Dictionary is essentially targeted at pupils who have not developed an extensive range of sound/letter correspondences but instead are reliant on early phonic knowledge for spelling. For these pupils, picking up a dictionary to locate the correct spelling can prove a real trial. Although more difficult words are explained with a simple synonym, this dictionary does not focus on definitions, but instead on supporting spellers with finding the right letter codes, or graphemes for chosen words. The authors of this dictionary have created a system whereby pupils can locate the right spelling by starting with how they think the word is spelt. Thus words with common errors are embedded within the dictionary, so that following ‘security’ you will find ‘sed’. The idea is that pupils search for words according to a common error, e.g. locate ‘sed’ and on the right you will find the correct spelling; ‘said’.

 The layout is simple and colour is used effectively to distinguish correct spellings (black) from common errors (red). Other features include support for inflexions, with verb endings listed under each verb and comparative adjectives following the adjective, e.g. funny, funniest, funnier. The dictionary also contains prompts for ways to learn tricky spellings as well as a list of common spelling rules. This book was compiled by a team who have observed the frustration many pupils feel when faced with a conventional dictionary. Not all possible errors are listed but I do think they have plugged a hole in the market and would consider this a useful addition to any key stage 2 or 3 classroom.

2007-04-01