Words Their Way

We recently started word sorts in centers.  Word sorts, from the program Words Their Way, is a constructivist approach to teaching children reading and spelling.  It encourages students to discover and explore spelling patterns and irregularities (“oddballs”) in written English.  Students have a chance to compare and contrast words to help them strengthen connections between the sound patterns and meaning of words.  To get students used to the routines of word sorts, we have completed concept and rhyming sorts.  Students showed responsibility and understanding while sorting, so the next step is begin each student on a more individualized word sort program based on their pre-assessments.  

 Here is an example of a concept sort.  This is training them to sort by spelling pattern someday.

 Here is an example of a sound sort.

Here is an example of a rhyming sort.