"I think that the Word Wasp is the most important development in Special Needs teaching resources since Toe by Toe. I would not hesitate for a moment in recommending The WORD WASP without reservation to every busy SENCO, worried parent and frustrated child. This is a fantastic SEN resource"
I have been teaching for 24 years in both special schools and as a mainstream SENCO in British Military and International schools and I can say that the manner in which this resource identifies difficulties and raises pupil's self esteem is truly remarkable. I am seeing consistent improvements in my most challenged English and Japanese pupils who are following this remarkable little book.
"It has filled a niche in the market and has proved very successful with our students, indeed it has had dramatic results in raising their spelling ages.....Students like Word Wasp's"
- Individualised nature
- structured approach
- fast track from sounds/easy words to harder words
- repetition/reinforcement
- built in success
"I have been using Word Wasp for three months with a pupil in Year 6 who clearly had gaps in their phonics knowledge. This obviously impacted on not only their reading and spelling skills, but also on their self esteem within the classroom setting. I cannot wax lyrical enough with how impressed I have been with this particular programme, and have had no hesitation in recommending it to other staff members"
We aim to do a 15-minute session every day, adhering to the easy-to-follow instructions, which is great as it is easy to find a time slot of this duration within the school day. Having their own book allows the student ownership of the programme and they can easily see the progress that they are making. The introduction and, more importantly, the explanation of spelling and phonic rules really helps the student feel in control of their learning.
My students have shown amazing progress. They feel able to tackle new words encountered when reading and will have an informed attempt at new spellings instead of guessing. In addition to this, they will read their own spelling back to themselves and can often identify their own mistakes and then be in a position to rectify them.
The confidence this has given them has been transferred across to other subjects (they have moved up two sets in maths) as they now feel to be on a more equal footing with their peers.
My students have really enjoyed this programme, often reminding me when it is time for their Word Wasp session, and I in turn have enjoyed delivering it and seeing the ongoing success that each student is now experiencing.
"I am a Deputy Head teacher in a very challenging school for pupils with Social, Emotional and Behavioural difficulties. I also teach English in the school; although I am not an English Specialist. Many of our pupils have either untestable or reading ages that are significantly (in some cases 50%) lower than their chronolgical age. This text is a means to tackle the issues of literacy on 1 -1 basis. The beauty of this approach is that even the pupils who cannot read, can access it and make progress"
The 'Instruction for coaches' are really staightforward and easy to follow. We as a school will be investing in this product because it works; the authors Harry and his wife Marie have a real passion for improving phonological development and the benefits of that development.
You do not need to be an expert on phonics to use this approach; but by the time you have completed this book, either as a coach, pupil or adult learner, you will feel like an expert on phonics!
"It builds confidence and encourages the girls to believe in themselves. Previously these students considered themselves poor spellers and incapable of ever learning how to spell."
Now thanks to ''Word Wasps" they are thinking positively and making rapid progress. I have sent the girls home with the programme during holiday periods and parents have commented that their daughters enjoy the programme and also of the improvement in their daughter's confidence and self-esteem.
''I want to tell you how brilliant your spelling programme is!"
We have used it for the last two years with 30 pupils. Some started with reading ages of 6 years. All of them have made rapid progress, but most of all, the programme has raised their self-esteem and their level of independence. Their spelling ages have gone up loads!!
"A fantastic resource for helping children with reading and spelling. I work as a SEN TA and would recommend this reading and spelling scheme for supporting all children, not just those with SEN."
I have also used this personally with my own son who has SEN and this has helped with his understanding and also boosted his confidence. It is very user friendly and doesn't require any special training. The 'Instructions for Coaches' are very straightforward. You don't have to be a genius to use it. It taught me as I used it, it comes with instructions and it really does work!
"Brilliant! I'm a SENCo and specialist SEN teacher"
I use this with 10 children aged 5-7 who are behind with literacy learning. It works… I found it confusing at first but as the programme continues it falls into place.
"Little and often being the key, this teaching aid really works"
and it’s great to see the children progressing and enjoying their learning.
"Second time for me to order this wonderful series of books to help children with reading spelling and literacy difficulties. I am so impressed with the systems"
that have evolved from the moment of ordering to the prompt delivery and then on to the most important aspect of all the use of the work in the classroom or for individual tuition. We have sets in Zimbabwe where the Special Needs network is small but efficient and I have enjoyed sharing with my immediate colleagues.
"This has already made a huge difference to the child I am working with-giving confidence and structure. Made me realise that I must always be facing the child when speaking to ensure the best chance of correct spelling"
"excellent book for helping struggling students"
"I work as a teaching assistant / literacy coach and I think it is the best 'one to one' scheme for teaching reading and spelling rules that I have ever encountered"
I have used the Word Wasp personally and it is also used at my son's school. Even if your child does not have reading or spelling problems the Word Wasp will give them a fantastic head start. Every parent and every child should have one. The new edition is great too, much more user friendly and even better still you don’t have to be a genius to use it. It taught me as I used it, it comes with instructions and it really does work!
"All of the children I have suggested use the Word Wasp have made gains of at least 2:1 in their reading ages and 1.5:1 in their spellings ages"
Highly recommended, cost effective resource that is easy to pick up and use.” Nicola Durrant, Specialist Teacher, Essex County Council
"I have successfully used the Word Wasp programme with a year 3 child who has made an amazing progress in a 3 month period"
Reading age has improved by 8 months and spelling age by 6 months. (SENCO Basildon)
"Can’t believe it! M’s reading age has gone up by 13 months and I have only used the WW for 4.5 months."
So pleased (LSA Canvey Island, Essex)