WORD STUDY

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What is Word Study?

An approach to spelling that encourages the examination of groups of words for similarities and differences; a way of looking at words and word parts. Word study is made up of small-group instruction that is assessment-based and tailored to students’ instructional spelling level.

What is Words Their Way?

Words Their Way is an integration of phonics, spelling, and vocabulary instruction. There are two reasons for word study. First, students develop general knowledge of English spelling. They learn how to examine words through active discovery using a hands-on manipulative approach. Students learn to reflect on words and make generalizations about spelling not just learn isolated spelling rules. They learn patterns and conventions of English needed to read and spell. Second, word study increases student’s word knowledge. They learn about the meaning of words.

What are word sorts?

Open Sort: Sort your words any way you want. Students discover words through exploration. They can sort words by first letter, last, letter, vowels, sounds, number of letters, consonants, syllables, and anyway they can imagine.

Concept Sort: Sort the words into groups. Group the words by something they have in common like meaning, category, or concept.

Closed Sort: Sort the words by the bold headers. Sort the words into groups by observing what they share in sounds such as vowels, consonants, syllables, and beginning and ending sounds. Students ask, "What does the sort tell me about the spelling?"

Partner Sort: Each student has a word study partner. They work with their partner to learn more about their words. Students can do a blind sort where one partner reads the word and the other has to figure which catergory the word belongs to without looking. Partners can also work on a speed sort, racing to see who can sort their words the fastest.