Spell Like a Ninja: Top tips, rules and remedies to supercharge your spelling

A great book which children can use to help them to spell independently, or their grown ups can use to help them when tackling spelling at home.  Spell Like a Ninja starts by explaining different spelling strategies that can be used when navigating the complex world of spelling such as daily practise, flashcards and spelling pyramids. These will be really useful for parents to understand so they can replicate some of the practise strategies that are used in schools.

The book then covers each year group (from 1 to 6) with the key spelling rules that are taught in each year. For each spelling rule, there are word lists which will also be very useful to help children to practise applying the rule to a variety of different words. Not only does it cover spelling rules, it also includes different grammatical concepts such a possessive apostrophes and hyphens.

Overall, I think this will prove a very useful resource for parents, teachers and teaching assistants to support primary aged children on their spelling journey.

128 pages / Reviewed by Lucy Hopkins, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

Parents, this one is for you! Have you ever found yourself wondering what the children are being taught in school or how you could possibly explain the latest spelling pattern to come home? Wonder no more, Spell Like a Ninja, the latest book in Andrew Jennings's Ninja series, is here for you!

This pocket-sized book is packed full of strategies and resources to enable you to support your primary school children and transform them into spelling ninjas! Spell Like a Ninja provides lists and advice to support the teaching and learning of spelling for pupils throughout the Primary years. Every current, statutory spelling pattern in the National Curriculum is included in one book. It is split into sections for Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2, to enable all pupils to learn at their own pace in this all-in-one quick reference tool. There is also a Parents' Zone section, filled with activity ideas.

With word banks, terminology explained and pronunciations detailed, this book provides any conscientious parent with all of the information that they will need to be able to support their child at home.   As for schools, even those that have specific programs for teaching spelling could use Spell Like a Ninja as an additional resource.  The spelling tips, for example, are really helpful, particularly for giving pupils different strategies in learning spellings. TAs might find it useful when running interventions, too. The teaching banks and tips could also make part of homework tasks for pupils.  

Andrew's teaching background and expertise is on display all the way through this book in the layout, information and guidance given. Spell like a Ninja is certain to join the success of the other Ninja books in the series. Money well spent.

128 pages / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+