Understanding Activity Blocks and Content Items

Lesson Components

Activity Blocks and Content Items

Lesson plans in Spellcaster are built using "activity blocks" - structured literacy activities that form the foundation of each lesson. Each activity block contains customizable "content items" specific to that activity type.

Key Components:

• Each activity block includes detailed instructions, teaching scripts, and purpose explanations
• Content items can be customized for each activity block
• PowerPoint equivalents are automatically generated for classroom display
• Manage content items through the Control panel in the lesson plan creator

Content Management

Working with Content Items

Content items are the specific materials used within each activity block. They can be easily managed to customize your lessons.

Content Management Features:

• Add new content items through the Control panel sidebar
• Delete items by selecting and using backspace
• Customize items to match your learners' needs
• Preview content in PowerPoint format before exporting

Best Practices:

• Select content items appropriate for your learners' current level
• Build progressions from simple to more complex items
• Include a mix of review and new content items
• Consider the sequence of activities when selecting content items

Activity Types

Spellcaster Activity Blocks

Below is a list of activity blocks available in Spellcaster's lesson planner. These blocks are carefully designed to align with evidence-based structured literacy practices, supporting orthographic mapping and deeper engagement with language learning. Each activity block serves a specific purpose in developing key literacy skills, from foundational phonemic awareness to more advanced morphological understanding.

Activity Block Design:

• Aligned with research-based structured literacy principles
• Supports systematic and explicit instruction
• Promotes active engagement with language patterns
• Builds connections between speech and print
• Facilitates orthographic mapping through varied practice

Activity Blocks

Phonics and Sound Recognition Activity Blocks

Visual Drill

• Purpose: Connects print to speech by identifying letter sounds
• Skill Focus: Visual Recognition
• Content Items: Letter combinations and their corresponding sounds
• Teaching Approach: Learners point to letters and say their sounds

Auditory Drill

• Purpose: Connects speech to print through sound-to-letter mapping
• Skill Focus: Auditory Discrimination
• Content Items: Sounds and their corresponding letter representations
• Teaching Approach: Learners write or identify letters for given sounds

Single Word Decoding

• Purpose: Builds orthographic mapping through pattern recognition
• Skill Focus: Blending Sounds
• Content Items: Individual words for decoding practice
• Teaching Approach: Sound-by-sound blending into complete words

Activity Types

Word Chains and Morphology Activity Blocks

Decoding Word Chain

• Purpose: Reinforces decoding skills through related word sequences
• Skill Focus: Pattern Recognition and Decoding
• Content Items: Sequences of related words with single letter changes
• Teaching Approach: Progressive reading of modified words

Spelling Word Chain

• Purpose: Strengthens encoding skills through related word sequences
• Skill Focus: Encoding and Pattern Recognition
• Content Items: Sequences of related words for spelling practice
• Teaching Approach: Progressive spelling of modified words

Word Sums

• Purpose: Develops understanding of word formation and meaning
• Skill Focus: Morphological Awareness
• Content Items: Words broken into morphological units
• Teaching Approach: Combining morphemes with spelling adjustments

Activity Types

Sentence Work and Dictation Activity Blocks

Sentence Reading

• Purpose: Promotes reading fluency and connected text practice
• Skill Focus: Decoding in Context
• Content Items: Complete sentences for reading practice
• Teaching Approach: Word-by-word reading building to fluent sentences

Sentence Dictation

• Purpose: Develops encoding skills in connected text
• Skill Focus: Spelling in Context
• Content Items: Complete sentences for spelling practice
• Teaching Approach: Writing complete sentences from oral dictation