SRA Spelling Mastery | School Textbooks

A structured, research-proven program for confident, capable spellers.

Spelling Mastery is a Direct Instruction program that helps teachers deliver highly effective, explicit spelling lessons. Used in schools for decades, this trusted program builds lasting spelling skills through structured, evidence-based teaching—helping students become more confident readers and writers.

International Edition – Available Now

The Spelling Mastery International Edition is now available, giving schools a choice of two editions of the trusted Direct Instruction spelling program.

The International Edition retains the same proven instructional approach as Spelling Mastery, with British English spelling conventions throughout, making it ideal for schools in Australia, New Zealand and other markets using British English.

Two Editions – What’s Right for Your School?

International Edition - British English (NEW)

The International Edition uses British English spelling conventions throughout and is recommended for new schools, or existing Spelling Mastery schools ready to transition to the International Edition.
Current Edition - U.S. English

The U.S. Edition remains available and fully supported. Existing users can continue with this edition to maintain consistency with their current program materials.
IMPORTANT: The International and U.S. editions are not interchangeable. Teacher Presentation Books and Student Workbooks should be used from the same edition.

About the Program

Grade Levels: 1 - 6

Spelling Mastery teaches spelling through a blend of phonemic, morphemic, and whole-word strategies. Lessons are clearly sequenced and easy to deliver, with cumulative practice and review built in to ensure students master each concept.

In just 15–20 minutes per day, educators can help students:

Develop reliable spelling strategies
Improve writing fluency
Build confidence in reading and communication

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the Spelling Mastery International Edition, including transitioning between editions, program components and implementation.

Download International Edition FAQ.

Program Components

Request More Information

Sample Lessons

Click on a Grade level below to view a sample lesson from the Teacher Presentation Book and Student Workbook.

Placement Test

Placement tests help determine which level of Spelling Mastery is appropriate for a student. To assist in placing your students at the correct level, please follow the link below.

Download Placement Test

Research Base

Research on Teaching Children to Spell
This article shows the extensive research base of Spelling Mastery. Spelling Mastery is distinct from many other approaches to teaching spelling. It has demonstrated substantial effects on the spelling development of children.
Spelling Mastery and Spelling through Morphographs: Direct Instruction programs for beginning and low-progress spellers

Other Scientific Research and Articles

Direct Instruction and the Teaching of Early Reading: Wisconsin's Teacher-Led Insurgency
The authors of this report summarise some of the research supporting the use of Direct Instruction to teach early reading skills. They also discuss some of the barriers educators face when attempting to implement Direct Instruction, specifically proponents of whole language teaching. Finally the researchers describe schools and teachers in Wisconsin that have achieved excellent results with Direct Instruction and how this is changing the minds of many critics.
Seigfried Engelmann on Mastery Learning

Sample Lessons

Click on a Grade level below to view a sample lesson from the Teacher Presentation Book and Student Workbook.

Placement Test

Placement tests help determine which level of Spelling Mastery is appropriate for a student. To assist in placing your students at the correct level, please follow the link below.

Download Placement Test

Research Base

Research on Teaching Children to Spell
This article shows the extensive research base of Spelling Mastery. Spelling Mastery is distinct from many other approaches to teaching spelling. It has demonstrated substantial effects on the spelling development of children.

Other Scientific Research and Articles

Direct Instruction and the Teaching of Early Reading: Wisconsin's Teacher-Led Insurgency
The authors of this report summarise some of the research supporting the use of Direct Instruction to teach early reading skills. They also discuss some of the barriers educators face when attempting to implement Direct Instruction, specifically proponents of whole language teaching. Finally the researchers describe schools and teachers in Wisconsin that have achieved excellent results with Direct Instruction and how this is changing the minds of many critics.
Seigfried Engelmann on Mastery Learning

Each level of Spelling Mastery has been mapped to the National Curriculum for Australia. Click the links below to download the Mapping Documents:

Level A Mapping Document

Level B Mapping Document

Level C Mapping Document

Level D Mapping Document

Level E Mapping Document

Level F Mapping Document