I remember loving words from very early in elementary school. I loved spelling them, defining them, and using them in speech and writing. I especially loved big words with big meanings. Since I’ve always been more on the petite side, I’d often say that I like using words twice my size. So, it’s no wonder that one of the things that I was most excited to teach when I became a teacher was spelling and vocabulary. But, there are so many words! How do you teach them all? I was so happy when I was introduced early in my career to a pedagogical practice literally called word study. Over the years, as I’ve gained more practice, I’ve developed my own definition of word study and what to include when I teach words. Of course, just like everything else in education, my approach to word study is a work in progress. At this time, I just want to reflect on my practice so far, and share my experiences with you.
When I began teaching in 2007, the district I was working for was using a literacy program called Open Court. It was a heavily phonics-based program. Some teachers loved it; some despised it. Just as with every other literacy program I’ve worked with, Open Court was a mixed bag that was the right fit for some and not a fit at all for others. Looking back, I can’t definitively say that it was a good or a bad program. I had some students who found success within the program, and some who needed supplementation. As a beginning teacher, I was just happy to have a guide to help me teach!
Unfortunately, in 2009, I was part of a group of teachers that were laid off in the midst of budget cuts. I was devastated, and it was a miserable summer. I had opted to remain with my district as a substitute teacher in the hopes that I would be able to return to the classroom full-time in the near future. So, I was thrilled when the school I had been working for previously contacted me to open a kindergarten class that fall. My hope that my sub career would be short lived was coming true. It didn’t come true. A month into the school year, the class was dissolved, and I was stuck beginning what turned out to be a five-year stint in the sub pool. As disappointing as that was, it was during that month that I was introduced to word study. At that time, word study was presented as an approach that would replace traditional spellers and phonics programs. I have since discovered that it is so much more, and that it impacts reading fluency and comprehension, and writing. It is truly a foundational piece of elementary education.
Since my early experience with word study, I’ve come to realize that it’s about more that just learning “spelling rules.” For me and my practice, word study includes not only phonics but sight words, print concepts, and vocabulary. It can work for pre-school ages as well as the upper elementary school grades. I have also found success in using it with English Language Learners and students struggling with literacy, but also with students who require more of a challenge to develop their word knowledge. Just as I had hoped early in my teaching career, teaching words is one of my favorite things.
Over the next few weeks, I’d like to share my experience with the different parts of word study. I hope that you’ll join me in that journey of discovery. In the meantime, if you are looking for some activities to supplement your own word study journey, I have some products available in my TpT store that you might find useful. If you choose to use any of those resources, please remember to leave a comment or review as that helps me make better products for you in the future. Here are the links to those products: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Vowel-Fun-5248417
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/R-Influenced-Fun-5248515
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Short-Vowel-Word-Family-Fun-5283969
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Grow-Readers-at-Home-FREEBIE-5759180
Until next time… Happy Teaching!
Pina Rose
PinaRose Education 