Words Their Way

Next week we will be rolling out Words Their Way. It is a word study program that scholars will be engaged in every week. Sometimes this work will fall under homework and some will be classwork. Scholars will have words each week that they will work with throughout the week and then be tested on Friday. Scholars are grouped and may not have the same words. The words are based on the student's spelling ability, which I tested in the beginning of the year. Look for this information next week in your scholar’s homework folder! Below is some more information from the program’s website:

“Words Their Way (WTW) is a developmental spelling, phonics, and vocabulary program. It was developed by Invernizzi, Johnston, Bear, and Templeton. WTW is an approach to spelling and word knowledge that is based on extensive research literature and includes stages of development and instructional levels that are critical to the way students learn to read. A word study program allows teachers to provide differentiated efficient, effective instruction in phonics, spelling, and vocabulary.

Word study teaches students to examine words to discover the regularities, patterns, and conventions of the English language in order to read, write, and spell. It increases specific knowledge of words – the spelling and meaning of individual words. Literacy is like a braid of interwoven threads: reading, oral language, and writing. Words Their Way demonstrates how exploration of ortho- graphic knowledge can lead to the lengthening and strengthening of the literacy braid.

Why "WORD STUDY" instead of a "TRADITIONAL" spelling program? Research clearly indicates that memorization of lists of "spelling words" does not promote the development of spelling skills. In the past the traditional approach of "everyone gets the same weekly list and test on Friday", many students who passed the spelling test were not able to transfer the knowledge to their writing! Memorizing a list of words and getting 100% on weekly tests does not necessarily mean your child is a good speller. It may just mean they are good at memorizing words for a test.”