EdShed

Your Journey to Fluent Phonics and Spelling Success

EdShed Phonics and Spelling is an innovative programme designed to accelerate students’ reading, writing and English language proficiency while also minimising teacher workload.

EdShed Phonics and Spelling is a solution to building key English language skills. Created by teachers for teachers, EdShed Phonics and Spelling is a fully planned and resourced CAPS-aligned programme. 

It is built on research-based, proven approaches. We were founded in 2017 by Martin Saunders and Rob Smith after a conversation about how spelling was taught in schools. We launched Spelling Shed as a relatively simple app shortly after and it’s escalated ever since. Now, we serve over two million learners in schools and households across 180 countries for a range of products. As educators ourselves, it is a huge privilege to be able to affect so many children and educators in a positive way and to deliver the most impact with the least hassle.

We are dedicated to revolutionising education through engaging and interactive learning platforms. We understand the significance of nurturing a love for learning in every child and we’ve made it our mission to provide educators, parents and students with the tools they need to excel.

EdShed Phonics and Spelling:

  • Fully CAPs-aligned
  • Fully planned and fully resourced
  • Designed specifically for South Africa
  • Includes games that can be used online and offline
  • Suitable for the Foundation Phase through the systematic synthetic multi-sensory phonics programme
  • Suitable for the Intermediate Phase through the research-based spelling programme
  • Includes data and assessment tools

In the Foundation Phase, synthetic, systematic phonics teaches early reading and
writing. Building on these firm foundations, the Intermediate Phase is based on Science
of Reading research and uses proven approaches to teach spelling, such as exploring
spelling patterns, looking at morphology and etymology, as well as activities that support
orthographic mapping. By equipping students with a comprehensive toolkit of
word-understanding strategies, we empower them to improve their spelling, reading and
writing skills.

Foundation Phase

Each lesson includes a full lesson plan and printable resources, a teaching book, decodable books, songs relating to the GPC character, games for each GPC, physical resources including flashcards, word cards and posters.

Intermediate Phase

Each lesson includes a clear lesson plan, lesson presentation, printable worksheets, word lists focusing on spelling patterns, digital games to support spelling practice and vocabulary acquisition.

EdShed gives all learners in the class an opportunity to participate during phonics lessons on their own level without feeling left out.
Zelia Van RooyenBeacon School, Cape Town
There is a good balance and the children make links between the characters, songs and books. The activities are pitched well for the year group and offer a range of ideas to best fit the group of learners. The children are remembering more as learning is repeated and links are made. Children are becoming more confident readers and parents are commenting on this. The programme is giving a real sense of consistency across the school and the planning is improving teachers subject knowledge. The sequence of learning is effective and allows children to build on previous knowledge. The characters are really powerful and engaging and the children are excited by these. The data is very helpful to identify gaps and plan what consolidation or intervention is needed.
Natalie HarbronTeacher
I have seen a huge improvement in my class. Following the lesson plans provided on EdShed helps me deliver the spelling confidently. I find the format very easy to use and set up my weekly spellings. My learners are motivated to beat their score and create hives to compete against each other. These elements allow for positive results and growth. I often see children using syllables to break up a word into its phonics, which has improved their spelling accuracy. It is the best spelling tool I have engaged with in my teaching career.”
Teacher
It allows the children to have fun while learning their spellings. The children can create their own avatar from the points they collect. The children love playing Hive games, as this means they can compete against each other. As a teacher, I am then able to see their results and the improvement of the children. I like the data tracking element because progress can be tracked. I also like being able to set assignments for the children in my class.
TeacherMalvin's Close Academy
It’s a progressive easy-to-follow curriculum with engaging resources. Everything is there that you need to teach a fully comprehensive spelling programme to students and there is a consistent approach across school. Students love spelling lessons now and practise at home.”
Ruth IvesWoodseats Primary
I love how I can join hives and play games. I also have fun spelling different kinds of words.”
ChildPencoed Primary School
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