Word StudyMaking it work for ALL of your students

Louise DonagheyK-2 Literacy Coordinator, Singapore American School

Michelle Morton, First Grade Teacher, Singapore American School

John YungclasFifth Grade Teacher, Singapore American School

Workshop Goals• Explore assessment strategies • Organize word study instruction• Exchange classroom ideas for word

study

Guiding Questions

• Why do Word Study?

• How can we assess for differentiated

instruction?

• How can we organize classrooms for Word

Study?

• How can we provide students with effective

learning opportunities?

• How can we apply what we have learned?

Word Study in our classrooms

• Hands-On activities• Cindy Marten’s Word Crafting• Words Their Way (Bear, et al.)• The Daily 5 (Boushey and Moser)• Students and schedule

Historical Development of Spelling

AlphabeticPatternMeaning

CVC

RootsAffixesSyllables

Historical Development of Spelling-Alphabetic-

Anglo-SaxonWIFTODAEGHEAFONUM(Lord’s Prayer 1000 CE)

Letter Name-AlphabeticWIFTUDAEHAFAN(Tawanda, age 6)

Historical Development of Spelling-Pattern-

Norman FrenchYONGESWETEROOTECROPPE(Chaucer, 1440)

Within Word PatternsYUNGESWETEROOTECROPPE(Antoine, age 8)

Historical Development of Spelling-Meaning-

RenaissanceDISSCORDFOLOWEMUSSIKE(Elizabeth I, 1600)

Within Word PatternsDISSCORDFOLOWEMUSSIC(Julian, age 14)

Stages of Spelling and Vocabulary Development

(as presented in Words Their Way)

• Emergent• Letter-Name

Alphabetic• Within Word Patterns• Syllables and Affixes• Derivational Relations

Targeting Instruction

Using but Confusing – Reading– Writing– Spelling Assessment/Inventory• Words Their Way Spelling Inventory

Assessing Spelling

Looking at the spelling features

Assessing Spelling

Let’s Try!

Spelling Inventory

• Questions?• Split into grade groups

K-2 Michelle3-4 Louise5-6 John

Grade 1 Class Composite

Grade 5 Class Composite

Sample Word Lists for Sorting

Emergent SpellersLetter-Name

Alphabetic Spellers Syllables and Affixes

Weekly Schedule in a Grade 1 classroom

• Introduce the words• Independent sorting and “word work”

activities• Assessment

Routines in a Grade 5 classroom

Organizing Word Work Activities in a Primary Classroom

• One central location• Labels and directions• Clearly introduced• “Word Day”• Word lists

Independent Word Study

Independent Word Study

Independent Word Study

Some Ideas...• magnet letters• pipe cleaners• Rainbow words• Lego letters• string• letter stamps• letter tiles• clay and cookie cutters• sand table or tray• magnet “kits” (short vowels, blends, etc)• matching games• shaving cream...

Points to consider

• How does this approach to Word Study compares what you are currently doing?

• How does/can Word Study work in your current schedule?

• What other activities could work with your students?

• How could you educate or involve parents?

Sharing and Wrap-Up