What is Word Study?

Presented by Sarah Brewer

Word Study is….• A developmental approach to spelling • Tied directly to reading and writing• Comprised of five stages of spelling

– Emergent, Letter Name, Within Word, Syllables and Affixes, Derivational Relations

• Developmental spelling assessment, DSA• Word study groups• Spelling sorts

Developmental Approach

• Spelling knowledge develops along a continuum.

• It is individualized based on a student’s spelling needs.

• Focused on the sounds, patterns, and meanings of the words. This promotes long term retention of the words.

• No more memorization!

Tied to Reading and Writing• Students’ spelling skills are typically closely

tied to their reading and writing abilities.• With word study, students do a variety of

activities in school and at home to enhance their ability to transfer their spelling knowledge to their everyday reading and writing.

• Don’t be alarmed if the words seem easy because the ultimate goal is application to everyday work!

Five Stages of Spelling• Students progress through five stages

of spelling from kindergarten through late elementary and early middle school.

• Emergent, Letter Name, Within Word, Syllables and Affixes, Derivational Relations

• Students may move very quickly through some stages and slowly through others based on their needs.

Emergent Spelling• Typically done in Pre-K and Kindergarten• Focus is on rhyming, letter name, letter

sound• Picture sorts to isolate sounds, alphabet

games, matching activities– Examples:

F B

Letter Name• Typically done in first grade and second grade• Focus shifts from sound only to sound and

pattern in single-syllable words• Word and picture sorts for beginning sounds,

ending sounds, short vowels, simple blends, etc.– Examples:

• path vs. with (short a vs. short i)• drink vs. jet (dr vs. j)AT AN

Within Word• Typically done second and third grade• Focus is on sound and pattern in single

syllable words• Word sorts for a variety of long vowel

patterns, consonant clusters, etc.– Examples:

• cat vs. cane (short a vs. long a with a silent e)• boat vs. hope (long oa vs. long o with a silent e)

Syllables and Affixes• Typically done in fourth grade and up• Focus is on the sound, pattern and

meaning of two-syllable words• Word sorts for sounds at the syllable

juncture, changes when endings are added, etc.– Example:

• dropping vs. hoping (double vs. e drop)• supper vs. super (short u double vs. long u w/o

double)

Derivational Relations• Typically done fifth grade and above• Focus is on the sound, pattern, and

meaning of the words• Word sorts for prefixes and suffixes as

well as root and base words, etc.– Examples:

• ible vs. able• ence vs. ance • /t/ vs. /sh/ as in connect vs. connection

Developmental Spelling Assessment

• Students are given a developmental assessment to place them throughout the five stages of spelling.

• DSA administered three times a year (beginning, middle, and end).

• Targets the patterns students use but confuse

• Used to form spelling groups within each classroom

• Used to determine what list within each stage the students should begin sorting

Word Study Groups• The students are placed in a small group in

their class that share similar spelling abilities.• Students work together to sort their words

in a variety of ways and help each other learn the patterns through teamwork.

• Promotes collaborative learning in the classroom

• The groups are flexible based on how the students are progressing throughout the year.

Word Study Sorts• The students participate in a variety of sorts

in class and at home.• Teacher sort, open sort, buddy sort, no peek

sort, written sort, word hunt, speed sort• The sorts help them learn the connection

between the sounds and patterns of the words to promote long term retention rather than rote memorization.

• Students may do the same sort for several weeks.

Word Study Sorts

• Let’s practice with a Derivational Relations sort!

• No change Able vs. E-Drop Able• Can you come up with a generalization

that tells you when you drop the e and when you keep it?

Word Study Sorts

• When the word ends in a soft /g/ or /c/ sound, as in gem or city, it cannot precede an a. So, to keep the soft sound, words ending in ce or ge keep the e before adding able.

How to Help at HomeGrades K & 1• Support your children with their spelling on their homework

assignments and other written projects.• Continue assisting them with reading assignments as there is a strong

connection between reading and word study development.• Communicate any challenges with your child’s teacher!

Grades 2-5• Help your children with their weekly word study homework. Assist

them as they sort their words based on the patterns and sounds. Point out any oddballs or generalizations.

• Check their assignments nightly to ensure they understand the sort and are applying it accurately.

• When giving a practice test, have your children complete a written sort to reinforce the weekly patterns.

• Connect their word study words to their reading and writing. Point out similar patterns in books they read and in their everyday writing.

• Communicate any challenges with your child’s teacher!