Word Study   

What is Words Their Way?

Words Their Way is a developmental spelling, phonics, and vocabulary program.  It is an approach to spelling and word knowledge that is based on extensive research literature and includes stages of development and instructional levels that are critical to the way children learn to read.  A word study program allows the teacher to provide differentiated efficient, effective instruction in phonics, spelling and vocabulary.  Word study teaches children to examine words to discover the regularities, patterns, and conventions of the English language in order to read, write and spell.  It increases specific knowledge of words-the spelling and meaning of individual words.  

What Happened to Traditional Spelling Tests?

Research clearly indicates that memorization of lists of "spelling words" does not promote the development of spelling skills.  Many students who were tested on their spelling words on Friday in fact were not able to transfer the knowledge in their independent writing! Memorizing a list of words and getting a 100% on weekly tests does not necessarily mean your child is a good speller.  It may just mean they are good at memorizing words for a test.

In addition to Words Their Way, the children will also be expected to spell high frequency sight words correctly.  The list of these words will come from the book Second Grade Month by Month Phonics by Patricia Cunningham.

 What are high frequency sight words?

High Frequency Sight words are those words that most frequently appear in books.  In first grade they might include words such as: and, what, where, name, etc.  The sight words in second grade build upon those taught in first grade and include harder words such as: could, because, animal, they're, there, their.

NOTE :  This is our first year using Words Their Way so there might be some adjustments made throughout the year. We will always inform you of changes before they occur in the classroom. 

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