Transcript Word Study Sorting

What does it look like?
Sorts
“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember,
I do and I understand”
Are the heart of Word Study because we
naturally categorize information in our brain.
Children are able to make their own discoveries
and form generalizations about how the English
language works. AVOID STATING RULES
Do not depend on rote memorization
More practice & exposure than a traditional
phonics program
Sorting by
Sound
Picture Sorts
Word Sorts
Blind Sorts
Sorting by
Pattern
Word sorts
Writing Sorts
Sorting by
Meaning
Concept Sorts
Spelling-Meaning Sorts (homophones)
Suggestions
Have students color code the back of the sorts
Make sorts easier or harder by
increasing/decreasing the number of contrasts
Use oddballs when applicable
Deal with mistakes through questioning &
review. Too many mistakes may indicate a
student needs to step back
Manipulations
use letter tiles
white boards
remind students to NOT erase the whole word,
but to add/erase 1 or 2 letters
Before Jumping in...
introduce your students to basic sorting procedures
Set up a weekly schedule and build predictable
routines
Let parents know about Word Study
Keep teacher led introductory lessons short (15 minutes)
Plan time for students to sort independently & with
partners
Fitting Word Study in...
Word Study Block
All students work on WS at the same time. All
are working on the same activity, just with
different words
Integrated into Reading block
Students work on Word Study Activities
throughout Circle-Seat-Center
During
Circle-Seat-Center
Circle
Seat
Center
introduce sorts
speed sorts
manipulations
writing sorts
Blind Sort
cut sorts
draw & label
word hunts
ABC order
Speciality activities*
creating lists
Word Study games
concept sorts
word hunts
buddy sorts
buddy writing sorts
Regardless of what you
choose to do...
Have a weekly routine where students know and
understand procedures and your expectations
Sample Routines
Monday
Tuesday
Wed.
Thursday
Friday
intro sort
buddy sort
word hunt
assessment
Copy new list
copy words &
sort
writing sort
rainbow
writing
speed sort
assessment
closed sort
draw & label
Wordle
word hunt
GAME
Ten Principles of
Word Study
Look for what the students “use but confuse”
A step back is a step forward
Use words students can read
Compare words “that do” and words “that don’t”
Sort by sound then by pattern
Principles continued...
Begin with obvious contrasts first
Don’t hide exceptions
Avoid rules
Work for automaticity
Return to meaningful text