How do I use Custom Word Lists?

You can use custom word lists to allow 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 pupils will practice whilst playing Sumdog games. We recommend setting at least 10 words in each list. This is because, on average, pupils will answer 10 questions within a game.

 

How to create a new Custom Word List

  1. Ensure Spelling is selected on your Teacher Dashboard and go into Set Work

    Set work for spelling

  2. Click 'set a task' 

    set a task button for spelling

  3. Click the box that says 'practice', then click 'next'

    practice box

  4. Choose 'Select your own words for the task' and click 'next'

    Set work (1)

  5. Click 'choose word list'. This will bring up a list of the custom word lists that have already been created by teachers in your school 

    choose word list button

  6. To create a new word list, click 'new word list'

    new word list button

  7. Type in a spelling word in the search box. If the word is in our system, it will appear below the search box. Click the word to add it to your list. The words you've added will appear in pink on the right


    custom word list words

  8. Once you've added all the words you'd like to include in your list, name your word list by typing the name into the text box on the right

    custom word list name text box

  9. Click 'save this list

    save this list button

How to set a practice task using a Custom Word List

  1. Go into Set Work
  2. Click 'set a task' 

    set a task button for spelling

  3. Click the box that says 'practice', then click 'next'

    practice box

  4. Choose 'Select your own words for the task' and click 'next'

    Set work (1)

  5. Click 'choose' next to the Students box. This will bring up the student chooser popup.

    custom word lists choose student

  6. You can click on the name of a class in the popup to expand it to show all the students in that class. Select the students you want to include in the task, and click 'done'

    assessment student chooser

  7. Click 'choose word list

    choose word list button

  8. Click 'choose' to the right of the word list you'd like to use

    list of custom word lists

  9. Choose a title and date/time for your task, and click 'set practice'

    custom word list settings


How to view and edit an existing Custom Word List task

  1. Go into Set Work at the top of your Teacher Dashboard and scroll down to Tasks

    NOTE: by default, only the tasks you yourself have set will be shown. You can view tasks set by other teachers by clicking 'set by me' and selecting 'set by anyone' or a different teacher from the dropdown menu

    spelling challenge tasks list

  2. To view the results of your task, click the report icon next to the task you'd like to view. You'll then be taken to the report for that task. 

    If you'd like to instead edit a practice task, move on to the next step.

    challenge report icon

  3. To edit your task, click on the three dots next to the task you'd like to edit.

    challenge three dots

  4. Click 'edit'.

    challenge edit button

  5. You will be taken back to the Create Your Task page, where you can change the title, the question target, the time the task will be available until, and the students included. 

    Click 'update task' to save your edits

    update spelling task