Words Their Way - Word Sort Activity

1.  Read chapters 1-4 in Words Their Way.

2.  Review the notes you took in class on this activity.

3.  Explain the assignment to your cooperating teacher and ask him/her to refer a child or a small group of children to you.

4.  Give the child you are working with a set (or 2 sets, etc) of spelling words located in the back of Words Their Way.  You will note that spelling words are categorized by Kindergarten, primary, elementary, and upper grades. 

5.  Call the spelling words for the child(ren) until they miss the designated number (check the book for how many in a row can be missed before you stop giving the inventory). 

6.  You might find it helpful to make a chart with the following headings: (categorizing the words on this chart may make the two required forms somewhat more logical and easier to complete).  You do NOT turn this chart in with your other work. 

7.  Take the words the child wrote and place the word "parts" where they go on the chart above. 

8.  Use the student's spelling to fill out the two required forms - Error Guide and Feature Guide (as noted in class).  You do NOT complete the "whole class" forms. 

9.  Determine the developmental spelling level ... this is usually includes a judgment call ... use the scoring guide in Words Their Way to help you determine the level.  From this you will be able to determine the developmental spelling level for the child.  On-line examples for each level are located here:  http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/bear/chapter1/deluxe.html) 

10.  Locate the chapter in Words Their Way that relates to the level at which your child tested (emergent = chapter 5, etc).

11.  Read the chapter and locate an instructional activity (blue-tipped edges) that addresses a weakness you identified based on the child's spelling performance.

12. Prepare and administer a word sort with the child.  Preparation of these materials may take some time ... most of the pictures or words you need are already provided for you, but you will need to make copies so you can cut the pictures out or get some 3 x 5 cards for printing (neatly) the words for the word sort. Practice doing the word sort with someone else (spouse, etc) before you try it with the child.  Don't forget about developing rapport with the child and explaining the activity so they realize they are not at risk in any way. 

13. Prepare a writing prompt and get a writing sample from the child.  The length of the writing sample will depend on the grade and developmental level of the child. 

14.  Prepare a ONE page summary of this activity.  It should follow this format:

Analytic Spelling Inventory

Your Name

Date

• Child's First Name

• Child's Grade Level

• Developmental Spelling Level Found

• Description of Word Sort:  (explain the sort and with a list of words used)

• Reflection:  (what worked, what didn't, what you would do differently next time - one paragraph)

14.  Turn in your work in this order:  (stapled, typed)

Summary Page
Child's spelling page (where the child actually wrote the words)
Two required forms from Words Their Way (error guide and feature guide)
Child's writing sample (NOT required for Fall 2004 CT and ITV sections)
Word Sort (all manipulatives and a "1, 2, 3, etc., how to" page for how the lesson would take place)