Spelling

Words Their Way

Kindergarten Classroom Routine

Monday	Cut Sort Initial Cards Sort Words
Tuesday	Sort Words Play Fast Finger Play Memory with Partner
Wednesday	Sort Words Write Sort
Thursday	Sort Words Glue Sort
Friday	Spelling Assessment

Words Their Way is a new approach to teaching spelling that allows students to learn words at their individual level of instruction and teaches them how words work.  Each trimester, students will take a diagnostic spelling assessment (for which they do not study for) to determine their spelling level.  After looking at what students know about spelling, I will place them into spelling groups at their developmental levels.  Each group will have a different spelling word sort. By studying these word sorts, students will learn to sort, compare and contrast word features in each category, make discoveries, become more fluent readers, and increase their vocabulary through word meanings.  Students move through weekly word study patterns by doing in class activities, homework and ending the week with a word sort test on Fridays.

WHY A "WORD STUDY" INSTEAD OF A "TRADITIONAL" SPELLING PROGRAM?

Research studies indicate that memorization of lists of "spelling words" does not promote the development of spelling skills. In the past when we’ve used this traditional approach, many students who received a 100% on their spelling test could not spell most of the words in their writing! Memorizing a list of words and getting 100% on weekly tests does not necessarily mean a child is a good speller. It may just mean they are good at memorizing words for a test.  Using the Words Their Way word study program also allows us to work at each student’s individual level rather than using a “one size fits all” spelling list. 

Words Their Way Leveled Groups

Green (letter name)	Yellow (emergent)	Blue (Within Word)
Edwardo	Israel	Sebastian
Noah	Isabella	Vanessa
Camila	Devon
Karla	Sierra
Brian	Iazario
Kayla	Jayden
Thomas	Romeo
Samantha
Sofia
Frankie
Omar
Yaretzi
Suenelly
Alizee
Emely
Susana
Diangelo
Daisy
Hayden
19	7	2