Words Their Way

1
Words Their Way

• Chapter 2

2
Student Writing Samples

• Spelling shows what students know about writing
• Consonants
• Vowels
• Words
• Complete thoughts
• Purpose
• Drawbacks only use words they know, concentrate
  on getting ideas down not spelling

3
Observe Students Reading

• Can read words they cannot spell
• Textual supports illustrations
• If students can spell a word, they can read it,
  but not always the reverse

4
Spelling Inventories

• Represent a variety of spelling features at
  levels of ability
• Various types
• Kindergarten
• Emergent through Upper level
• McGuffey
• Spanish
• Feature Guides/Error Guides classifying student
  errors

5
Three Assessment Steps

• Select and administer a spelling inventory
• Relaxed atmosphere
• Call words aloud (say twice and use in sentence
  if helpful)
• Pronounce words naturally
• Know when to stop

6
Three Assessment Steps

• Analyze students spelling
• Reversals
• Out of order
• Give the child the benefit of the doubt
• Feature Guides/Error Guides
• Monitor growth and plan instruction
• Small groups for orthographic instruction
• Fluid grouping

7
Individual Spelling

• Look at drafts of student writing to see
  misspelled words
• Test student on those words
• Takes time
• Done in partners
• Inventories at least three times a year