done OUR way in 1st grade!
Word Study Activities, Assessment, and Word Sorts
A variety of strategies and supports are used to meet the needs of the various learners in the classroom
Word SortsAt the beginning of each week students are given words/pictures to sort with headings provided (closed sort) and throughout the week they sort their words with a friend, using writing, and creating new categories (open sorts).
Basic Sort
The highest level of support is offered when the teacher defines the categories with headings. Students manipulate the cut out words and write them in their appropriate category. Students can do this either independently or with a partner from the same feature group.
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Spelling Tests
Each student completed a spelling test with 20 words. Each test had a combination of initial consonants, short vowels, digraphs, blends, and long vowel patterns. Tests assessed the feature each developmental group learned that week.
Blind Sort
Students are with a partner in their same feature group. One partner reads the words and the other student points to the side that would be the appropriate category. Students create the categories and visualize from memory of the feature pattern. For a challenge the students would write the words.
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Vocabulary
When new words are given in a word sort the students received explicit vocabulary instruction on their words the following day. Now that the students are familiar with the spelling pattern, the vocabulary instruction serves as an anchor.
Speed Sort
Students are highly motivated to sort their words within 10 second intervals. With a partner, one student counts down from 10 on their fingers and the other sorts as many of their words as fast as they can. Students continued in 10 second intervals until their partner was done sorting all of their words.
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Writing
Throughout the week students are given dictation sentences according to their spelling stages. This provided information on their understanding of vocabulary and the spelling and use of words in context vs. isolation.
Spelling City
Spelling City is a website that builds literacy skills through vocabulary and spelling. The teacher would set up the feature words for the daily group and students would choose a game or activity to complete to help internalize the spelling features. The teacher will use this group to assess.
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