The Hands On Teaching Programme consists of 10 levels, which is then further divided into topics covering a different sound, spelling pattern or rule. The Programme may be followed in order of the various levels or it may be used to reinforce specific areas of spelling difficulties. The order and the word lists follow the structure of Alpha To Omega by Béve Hornsby and Frula Shear. The programme is based on “active learning” where the student is involved in using the materials that work best for them. It aims to develop reading, spelling, study skills & memory strategies for use with all aspects of learning. As the student progresses through the Hands On Teaching Programme their confidence and self esteem improves so that they can reach their potential in all areas of learning.

Overview Of Topics Covered in the 10 Levels of The Hands On Teaching Programme

Examples of worksheets, activities & games covered in Levels 1-10 of The H.O.T. Programme

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The Hands On Teaching Concept

• The aim of the Hand On Teaching Programme is to develop confidence and self esteem of the student through the use of specialised worksheets, activities and games.
• The H.O.T. Programme is flexible and caters for all the different needs of the students teaching them to read and spell whilst remediating their difficulties.
• There are 10 Levels with each level divided into up to 12 topics which cover the key sounds, spelling patterns and rules.
• There is a Choose A Level and a collection of Spelling Tests on the website to help guide the teacher/parent helping the student towards the appropriate Level of The Hands On Teaching Programme.
• The resources come in the form of worksheets, activities and games. There is extensive material available which allows the teacher/parent to pick resources that best suit their students way of learning.
• The teacher/parent works with the student, but where appropriate, may also encourage independent learning.
• The materials have been designed to develop the skills required to learn to read and spell. They are creative, colourful and structured to allow progression. The Programme does not presume anything is known until it is taught.
• The Hands On Teaching Programme is presented in three different formats. These three different formats are available to buy on the website.

The Schools Package: This is for use by schools who want to help their students develop their reading and spelling skills. The Package contains a Core Teaching Booklet, Games Booklet and Strategy & Review Booklet for each level plus a Sound & Reading Booklet Levels 1-10 and an Assessment Booklet Levels 1-10. The levels may be bought individually or the entire Programme may be bought for a discounted price.

Home/Parents Teaching Booklets: Each level is supported by a Home Teaching Booklet, a Games Booklet and a Review Booklet. The Booklets may be purchased individually or the three Booklets in a Level can be bought as a Package for a discounted price.

Special Needs Worksheets & Games: This package is targeted at Special Needs teachers who want to pick and choose different topics for their teaching. Worksheets, activities and games for each topic can be purchased and downloaded individually.

• On completion of each level H.O.T. Programme Evaluations are included to check that progress is being made and that each spelling pattern has been grasped.
• As progress is made the student‟s confidence and self esteem will improve. This will enable the student to take control of their own development and future learning.

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Spelling Assessment & Evaluation Process

• To start - Choose a Level directs you to a set of spellings for each Level. This will help the teacher/parent decide the appropriate level for the student to begin the Hands On Teaching Programme.
• There are two spelling tests for each level. One very short to ascertain quickly if you have chosen the appropriate level to begin the H.O.T. Programme.
• Having decided on the correct level there is a long spelling tests which highlights the specific areas that need help and remediation within the level.
• At the end of each of the 10 levels there is a spelling evaluation. This will show the progress that has been made and the areas, if any, that need further reinforcement within that level.
• On completion of Level 10 there is a final end of programme spelling evaluation. This reviews all spellings that have been taught and will highlight any areas that need further reinforcement.

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H.O.T. School Package
The School Package is made up of key teaching Booklets. It can be purchased as individual Levels or the whole H.O.T. Programme Levels 1-10 for a discounted price.

Core Teaching Booklet: Consists of one for each Level of structured multisensory worksheets & activities. The materials are creative and teach the rules associated with the spelling pattern.

Games Booklet: Consists of one or more games for each of the topics in that Level. The aim is to learn and reinforce each individual spelling pattern in a fun, clear and creative way.

Strategy & Review Booklet: Consists of spelling tests for all the topics covered in the Level and then spelling strategy templates to help with the words still causing difficulty.

Sound and Reading Booklet Levels 1-10: Consists of check lists for developing knowledge of sounds covered in Level 1—10 and reading activities for all words in Levels 1-10.

Assessment Booklet: Consists of H.O.T. Spelling Order, Spelling Tests, Spelling Evaluations, End of Levels Certificates and End of Programme Certificate for all levels in the Hands On Teaching Programme.

Printing: The resources may be copied within the school premises only. The material may be used within the school premises and as homework. Members of staff may not use the material for any form of home tutoring or teaching outside of the school premises.

Delivery: On receipt of payment the materials purchased will be sent to the relevant school on a CD Rom or other external storage device.

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H.O.T. Home/Parents Teaching Booklets
The Home Package is made up of key teaching Booklets.

Home Teaching Booklet: Contains structured worksheets, activities, spelling tests and evaluations for all the topics in the level purchased. The worksheets and activities are creative and teach the rules associated with the spelling pattern. The aim is to develop the essential skills required for the student to learn to read and spell building confidence and self esteem.

Games Booklet: Contains at least one game for all the topics in the Level. The aim is to reinforce a spelling pattern in a fun, clear and creative way.

Review Booklet: Consists of one for each Level of spelling tests for all the topics covered and strategy templates to help with the words still causing difficulty.

Home Package: Contains all of the above mentioned Booklets -The Home Teaching, Games and Review Booklet. These can be used in parallel as the student works through the topics in the level. By using the Home Package there is plenty of variety and reinforcement enabling the student to use the resources most suited to their way of learning.

Printing: The Booklets may be only be used by the purchaser for home teaching in their household. The purchaser may not lend or copy the Booklets or any part of it for others to use. The Booklets may not be electronically copied or sent via internet for others to use.

Delivery: On receipt of payment the purchased materials will be sent on a CD Rom or other external storage device or if appropriate, by email.

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H.O.T. Special Needs Worksheets and Games
The Special Needs Worksheet and Games Page gives a visual overview of all the topics covered in Levels 1-10. Click on one of the topic buttons and this will take you to a “buy page” with all the resources that are available for that Level.
The resources include -

Worksheets: The worksheets are creative, structured and cover all the different skills needed to learn to read and spell. There is an extensive range of materials so that the teacher can choose the worksheets most appropriate for their student. Alternatively the student can work methodically through the whole of the topic Booklet for those requiring a step by step approach with plenty of reinforcement. The Booklets are ideal for homework where parents and students can work together to develop reading and spelling skills.

Activities: The activities are designed to make the student actively involved in learning a particular sound pattern. They are designed to help the student discriminate between certain sound patterns such as “wa” sounding /wo/, “war” sounding /wor/ and “wor” sounding /wer/.

Games: Consists of one game or more for all the topics in the Level. The aim is to reinforce a spelling pattern in a fun and creative way.

Printing: The individual worksheets, activities and games may only be used by the purchaser for their own teaching. They may not lend or copy the resources for the use of any other person. The materials may not be electronically copied or sent via internet for others to use.

Delivery: On receipt of payment of the materials purchased an email will be sent with a web link, a username and password. Go to the web link and then copy and paste the supplied username and password into the boxes. The purchased products will then be in the account waiting to be downloaded. Check the Junk Mail email folder should the email not arrive promptly after purchase.

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H.O.T. Programme Completion

• Completion of the programme is when all 10 levels have been studied and reviewed.
• The final spelling evaluation will highlight any particular areas across the programme that might still be causing problems and will encourage students to revisit specific topics and reinforce their learning.
• On completion of the programme a certificate is available and the student should have mastered reading, spelling, study skills & memory strategies for use with all aspects of learning.

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