Ashley's chosen article "The Alphabetic Principle" really resonated with me. I get so much satisfaction when teaching phonics and my students really enjoy the explicit systematic instructional time with fun hands-on activities to follow. So... why do I dread that time of day so often??? That was what I was asking myself just a few months ago.
After realizing my students' spelling was still weak, I realized broad "shot gun approaches" to teaching phonics were fun and important lessons to keep the whole class more or less on the same page and to expose all students; however, my students were all at different spelling stages and that also needed to be addressed in my classroom.
The first thing I knew I needed to do was assess them to know exactly which stage they were at. I remembered having used the Spelling Inventory of Words Their Way for many years and then stored it away to learn another style with another county. I found that purple book, dusted it off and got to administering the assessment.
I remembered why I loved that inventory - it provided me with concrete, detailed data on each of my students. I then was able to group them depending on their level and provide powerful and linear lessons in a small group setting that really allowed some of my students to grow by leaps and bounds in a relatively short time.
So, for next year, I am already ready with my copies of the inventory in hand and I will administer the assessment as soon as possible so the whole year will be just as rewarding as those last few months. Then, I can feel just as accomplished as my students in knowing that I addressed and met each and everyone's individual needs.
About Me
- Tina Taupenot
- I teach second grade at Rock View Elementary School in Kensington. This is my second year there and my 17th year teaching.
I also use Words Their Way in my own classroom, and it is a great way to differentiate word study instruction within the classroom. The students are given the spelling inventory and then placed in groups that meet their specific spelling, phonics, and vocabulary needs. In 3rd grade I have found these books to be an invaluable tool. I have students in 4 different groups that range from letter name – alphabetic spellers who are still learning the vowel sounds all they way up to students who are studying Greek and Latin roots. I cannot imagine teaching a single lesson to these students, as there is such a wide range in ability levels.
ReplyDeleteUsing Words Their Way to differentiate phonics instruction with emergent readers and writers is an excellent way to pinpoint what each child needs and then provide them with hands on guided instruction in those specific skills. Using word sorts is practical strategy to scaffold student’s knowledge of phonics. Students initially meet in a group for guided instruction with the teacher. The teacher guides them through the sort, but children can help sort the words if they notice any patterns. Students then move to individual or buddy practice with the sorts. There are many different extension activities that can also aid in cementing the alphabetic principle knowledge. Sorting words by sound and spelling patterns also helps students work on higher level thinking skills, as they must categorize words based upon unique features of those words.