Implementation
What
Word study was implemented to increase orthographic development. The participants in the research included 25 students in a diverse 1st grade classroom.
Word study is developmentally appropriate instruction that matches the instructional needs of the learner. Using word study, students are able to build on knowledge they already know, learn what they need, and move forward. With direct instruction and support word features that were unknown are incorporated into reading and spelling. |
Why
Word study is spelling instruction that does not focus on memorization but allows students to generalize spelling patterns rather than focus on individual examples.
Word Study provides students hands-on opportunities to manipulate word features. Through word study students gain general knowledge of English spelling and specific knowledge of words. Actively exploring words creates an opportunity to learn the regularities, patterns, and conventions of English orthography. |
How
The Words Their Way Primary Spelling Inventory served as the pre, mid, and post tests to determine what spelling stage individual students were in.
Students were placed into different stages of spelling depending on: what students did correctly, what students used but confused, and what was absent in students' spelling. While specific strategies varied depending on the spelling stage of the student, they all fell under the categories of: word sorts, writing in context, games, and anchored vocabulary instruction. |