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How to use custom word lists
Custom word lists allow you to set fun activities for your students to practice their spelling words or work on words they might be struggling with.
When creating a Custom word list you choose words that your students will practice whilst playing Sumdog games. We recommend setting at least 10 words in each list. This is because, on average, students will answer 10 questions within a game. You can choose fewer than 10 words, but this may cause some of the words to repeat during the game.
Once your students have answered all the selected words correctly within the given time frame, the activity will be listed as completed on their account.
How to create a custom word list activity
These instructions explain how to create a custom word list activity for your class or individual/groups of students.
Note: Once you create a custom word list activity you will not be able to edit it.
Click ‘Set Work’.
Note: By default, the subject displayed on your account will be Math. Click on the drop down menu at the top left to change the subject to Spelling
Click ‘CREATE & VIEW’ in the ‘Custom Word Lists’ box
Click the ‘Choose’ button next to ‘Students’ to select the pupils you want to include in the custom word list challenge.
Use the arrows next to ‘My classes’, ‘My groups’, or ‘Other classes’ to expand to show your classes or groups.
Check the boxes next to the names of the students you want to select, or check the box next to a class to select all the students within the class.
Click ‘DONE’
Click ‘CHOOSE WORD LIST’
If you want to create a new word list, skip to the followings step.
To choose an existing word list, click ‘CHOOSE’ next to the word list you want to select.
*Note* You can use the downward-pointing arrows next to a word list to view the words included in that list
If you have not created a word list you can create one and assign it to the students. Click ‘NEW WORD LIST’ to add words to the list.
Key in the word or a partial word. Tick the words you would like students in the group to work on. We recommend that you select at least 10 words. This is to prevent the same word from being repeated during the same game.
Give a title to the word list and click ‘SAVE THIS LIST’
We recommend that when naming the word list you give it a name that makes it easy for you or your colleagues to identify what words are in the list.
Click ‘CHOOSE‘ to select the word list.
Adjust the settings for your custom word list challenge:
Scroll down and, under ‘Title’, key in a title for your activity.
We recommend a title that is related to the topic and makes sense for your students, as they will see this. The title will be the same for all the students
Select the ‘Available from’ date. This is when the activity will start and appear on your student’s account.
Set the ‘Available until’ date. This is when the activity will end.
Click ‘SET CHALLENGE’ to create the activity
When creating the Custom Word List, make sure that you have set up the details correctly. Once you have created the activity you will not be able to edit it.
How to create a custom word list activity
This video shows a walk-through of the steps described above.
How to view the results of a custom word list activity
These instructions explain how to view the result of a custom word list activity including how many students completed the activity and their accuracy.
Click ‘Set Work’.
Note: By default, the subject displayed on your account will be Math. Click on the drop down menu at the top left to change the subject to Spelling
Click ‘CREATE & VIEW’ in the ‘Custom Word Lists’ box
Under the heading ‘Your Challenges’ click on the downwards pointy arrow on the right
Click ‘View details’
A pie chart will be displayed detailing how many children have:
- Started
- Completed
- Not started
Scroll down and you will be able to view:
- Questions attempted
- Questions correct
- Accuracy
Click ‘Done’ to return to your dashboard
How to restrict your students so they can only work on the custom word list activity
If your students have not had any other activities set for them, the custom word list activity you created will automatically appear on their dashboard. If they have had other activities set for them, then they can select your Custom Word list by clicking on Tasks to view a list of their available activities.
These instructions explain how to restrict your students so that they can only work on the custom word list activity you have created.
Click ‘Set work’
Note: By default, the subject displayed on your account will be Math. Click on the drop down menu at the top left to change the subject to Spelling
Select ‘Live Controls’.
Ensure you have selected your desired class. Use the drop down menu at the top left to change your selected class
Click ‘RESTRICT’ in the Focus Work box
To restrict your students to a Challenge, tick the ‘Challenges and Competitions’ option. You can select multiple activities.
Your students will be restricted to the selected activity (or activities) for one hour.
Click ‘Restrict’ to confirm
How to answer custom word list activity questions as a student
These instructions explain how to participate in a custom word list activity as a student.
Click ‘Tasks’
Select the activity from the Tasks list.
In this example, the Custom Word List is tilted ‘Spelling week 3’
Click ‘Start’
Select a Sumdog game to play. The questions asked in the game will be based on the words you have selected for that student.
Frequently asked questions
Select which question you would like to find out more about: