working with words four blocks literacy. “teachers are focused primarily on systematically...

Working with Words

Four Blocks Literacy

“Teachers are focused primarily on systematically teaching children the skills they need to read individual words.” (Erickson &

Koppenhaver, 2007).

What is Working with Words?

Erickson, K., & Koppenhaver, D. (2007). Children with disabilities: reading and writing the four-blocks way. Greensboro, NC: Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.

Why is WWW important?

The Working with Words block allows students to:

• learn to read and spell high frequency words

• learn patterns used to decode and spell lots of other words

• transfer word knowledge to own reading and writing

• become fluent, successful and read words with comprehension

• help student understand how words work

Working with Words Stages

The Working with Words block has 2 stages:

• word wall – 10 minutes

• phonics and spelling – 20 minutes

Word Wall Learning-the-Word activities can include:• each week the teacher selects 5 new words to learn putting words in sentence:

• spelling words• clapping• chanting• word jumble• alphabetical ordering• word shapes

On-the-Back Activities• as students become proficient, On-the Back Word Wall activities can be completed:

• add endings to word wall words• put words into sentences

Phonics and Spelling

This part of Working With Words is usually 20-25 minutes. In this time students are learning how to decode and spell new words. Emergent learning can use this time to learn the alphabet.

Types of spelling and decoding activities:• rounding Up-the-‘Rhymes• making Words• guess the covered word• using Words-You-Know• reading/writing rhymes

Alphabet Activities:• alphabet books• alphabet songs• alphabet word sports• alphabet picture sorts

References

All information in this presentation has been sourced from:

• Cunningham, P. M., Hall, D. P., & Sigmon, C. M. (1999). The teacher’s guide to the four blocks. Greensboro, NC: Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.

• Erickson, K., & Koppenhaver, D. (2007). Children with disabilities: reading and writing the four-blocks way. Greensboro, NC: Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.