Words Their
Way
This
year we will be using a program called Words Their Way. This program is a phonics, spelling, and
vocabulary word study program which teaches students to examine word patterns
and not just rote memorization of words.
Each
Monday a group of words (a word sort)
will be given to students based on his/her spelling pre-assessment. On Mondays we will work in groups and look
for patterns and meaning. We will sort
our words according to our findings.
Each Friday we will have a quiz on these words. Our final tests on Friday will not be on all
20-30 words. I will choose 10 of the words that reflect each of the patterns
learned that week.
Practicing
these words at home is a crucial element of success. I will not be collecting formal
spelling homework, but expect that students will work with the words at home
each night. How you study these words at
home for homework is up to you but here are some options:
Speed
Sort - Read each word aloud during this activity. Explain why
the words are sorted in those particular categories. Sort the words
again, but his time it should be done quickly.
Blind Sort (No Peek Sort)
- Lay down a word from each category as a header and then have someone read the
rest of the words aloud to you. Tell what category the word belongs in
without SEEING the word. Lay down the word in the category you
identified.
Copy - Cover - Write
- Students practice writing each word twice in cursive or printing using
the copy, cover, write method. In the first column they copy the word from the
page. Then they cover the word and write it again, checking to make sure they
have written it correctly.
Words in Context
- Students will use the words from their sort to complete provided
sentences and help assess their understanding of the meaning of words from the
sort.
Pattern
search
(Also known as a Word Hunt) – Look through a variety of reading material and find
other words that would fit with your categories this week. Look for “oddballs” too!
Writing
Sort – Call out the words
in random order and have your child write them in categories.
Games – As we progress in our study of word
sorts, we will play different word study games in class. I will send copies of these home as we learn
them.
