THRASS HISTORY AT OUR SCHOOLIn 2015, our staff explored THRASS and felt the implementation of this tool in our school would benefit all of our learners.
In 2015, all staff were trained over 2 days to implement THRASS. To teach using these strategies you need to be trained.
In 2016, our new staff have been trained. We have also been on a learning journey as a whole school towards implementing THRASS from P-6.
THRASS is not a program, it is a teaching tool. It can be used for all ages and abilities.
Key TerminologyTHRASS uses the correct terms for speech sounds and spelling choices in English.
Phoneme is the correct term for a speech sound.
Grapheme is the correct term for a spelling choice.
We use this terminology with all learners from P-6 at St Mary of the Cross.
In spoken English we use 44 phonemes.
Graphemes can be a graph, digraph, trigraph and sometimes a quadgraph.
Parts of the THRASS Chart
Letter Boxes
Consonant phonemes and graphemes
Vowel phonemes and graphemes
Key terminology
MASUTA IN ACTIONANALYSISSegment the phonemes in the word (c) (a) (t)
Identify the graphemes ‘c’ ‘a’ ‘t’
How many syllables in this word- 1 syllable
Connect by analogy
Locate IPA
MASUTA IN ACTIONSYNTHESISSynthesise the phonemes.
Explore deletion and manipulation activities.
Cat with the phoneme (b) becomes bat
MASUTA IN ACTIONTESTING: 1. Articulate the word.2. Articulate the word in a sentence.3. Identify and synthesise the phonemes.4. Isolate and write the graphemes.5. Spell the word using the letter names.
We have standardised testing twice a year (South Australian) and we can use this to regularly assess spelling.
MASUTA IN ACTIONAPPLYING
You see these newly taught words used by students in everyday application. This also links to their reading.
MASUTA gives the teacher control over teaching spelling.
How can you help your child at home?*Teach that the alphabet has letter names and we have 44 phonemes (sounds) in English.
*Talk to your child about the meaning of new words they are learning. This is an important role that you can play.
*At all ages, talk to your child about the meaning of words and using them in context. This way, you are building new vocabulary for your child.
*Also ask for help if you have any questions.
Further Information and Resources★ THRASS website www.thrass.com.au★ Parent Information Pack Provided★ Purchase a THRASS Chart for $7.00 (per chart)★ Homegroup teachers in our school are all THRASS Trained. Feel free at anytime to contact me
for any advice or questions.
[email protected] or call our school