What is Word Study?
Word Study is
more than just spelling. In Word Study students also develop vocabulary
skills and learn to use words correctly in their writing and speech.
Words Their Way is a program that provides word lists printed on small
cards, called word sorts. Students
move through weekly word study
patterns and activities.
Students' lists are based on a word study pattern (example – all long a
words, words with CH, CVCe words, or vowels in multi-syllable words).
As students progress, their word sorts may be based on similar affixes
or derivations. The
advantage of using these word sorts is that they can be cut apart and
manipulated into groups based on patterns that are taught by the
teacher. Students can also create their own groupings for the word list.
How Does Word Study Work?
After
determining where each student is in their spelling development the
teacher can group students based on those levels. At the beginning of a
Word Study unit the teacher introduces the word sort and guides the
students toward discovering the patterns that the words have in common.
Throughout the week students engage in a variety of Word Study tasks and
activities to reinforce spelling as well as word meaning and usage.
Assessments can be given at the end of the unit as a traditional
spelling test or through writing samples the students completes
throughout the unit.
Click here to see a suggested weekly routine for word study.
Printable Resources for Word Study
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Graphic Organizers (pdf files)
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Technology and Online Resources
Spelling City-
students can set up their own spelling lists or work with a list that
the teacher has created using a free account. There are a variety of
activities and games that will help student practice spelling.
Word Study Activites A list of many online activities. There are some activities for every grade level here.
