What is Word Study?

This year, students will explore spelling patterns and sounds during Word Study.  Your child will work in a small group setting to read, sort, and spell words that are developmentally appropriate for him or her.   The goal of this approach is to encourage students to observe patterns and regularities among different words and then apply these skills while reading and writing.

This note will help you prepare for the first week (and future weeks) of Word Study!

General Word Study Questions:

What will the homework be?

• This will vary based on your 5th grade teacher.  For Mrs. Dupuis, students will be required to complete spelling homework Monday - Thursday.  Typically, when students are assigned an activity for homework, they’ve practiced the activity in school that day.  For Ms. Rogers, students will complete their work in school.

How will my child complete his/her homework?

• Students record their words in their planners.

• Additional copies of words will NOT be posted.  It is the student's responsibility to keep track of his/her words. 

• Your child will get new words on Monday.  Students should cut these words, store them in a safe place at home, and use them to complete homework, and study them until Friday. 

What about the test?

• Tests will always be given on Fridays

• Students will be responsible for practicing all (about 20) of their spelling words, but they will be tested on only 10 of those words.   They will also be given two new bonus words that follow the pattern(s) they studied during the week.  This will be a helpful way for us to monitor your child’s application of the pattern(s) he/she has learned. 

What about studying?

• Students are encouraged to do what works best for them on a study night (practice test, activity from the week, etc.) 

In Class and Homework Activities:

Closed Sort – ** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

1. Match words in like categories identified by the headings and key words (which are bolded). 

**(If no headings are provided) Analyze what each column has in common and write a heading that explains why  certain words are grouped together. 

2. Record closed sort neatly in spelling notebook or on homework paper via Google Classroom. 

**(Do not glue down words!) 

Blind Writing Sort – ** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

1.   Buddy one writes the key words at the top of each column in his or her notebook.

2.   Buddy two calls out the remaining words one at a time.

3.   Buddy one writes the word in the correct sorting column.

4.  Buddy two shows buddy one the word so that he or she can check for correct spelling and make corrections for mistakes

5.  Once buddy one completes the sort, change roles. 

Speed Sort – ** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

1. Buddy one sorts the words while buddy two uses a stopwatch to time their buddy.

2. Buddy one records the time in their notebook, and then completes the timed sort again to see if they can beat their time.

3. Buddy two then follows the same routine. 

Write and Draw – ** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

1. Choose four different words and write a sentence for each of those words. Make sure your sentences are complete sentences with correct capitalization and punctuation! 

2.  Choose four different words and then draw a picture to represent the meaning of the word. 

Rhyme Time – ** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

1. Buddies choose one word from the sort together.

2.  Each person independently writes as many words that rhyme with the chosen word.

3.  One buddy reads the words on his or her list. Cross off words that are the same.

4.  One point is given for each word that rhymes with the chosen word and that your buddy does not have written on their list.

5.   When you’re finished, circle words that do not follow your spelling pattern but still rhyme! 

Word Operation – ** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

1.  Add or subtract word elements to make a new word. Complete on five different words.

Example: pounce – pound

Dictionary Work – ** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

1.       Choose four spellings words to look up in the dictionary.

2.    Write the word you looked up, the part of speech, the word split into syllables, and the guide word or words at the top of the dictionary page.

3.    Then write the number of definitions for the word. 

4.    Choose one definition of the word and write the definition in  your own words. 

5.    Write a sentence using your spelling word based on the definition you chose.

ABC Order with Closed Sort-** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

1.    Sort your words based on the bolded key words that were given to you.

2.    Identify what goes in each heading box (the box at the top).

3.    Before writing your words down, put the words in each column in ABC order. Then record.

Open Sort – ** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

 1. Sort words based on the classification that you determine.

**Some great ideas for open sort headings are: words within words, long vowel sounds, short vowel sounds, beginning blends, ending blends, consonant vowel patterns, prefixes, suffixes, compound words, syllables

2. Write the heading that explains why you grouped the words the way you did in your spelling notebook neatly.

Word Hunt – ** Be sure to include the date and sort number on the top of your notebook or homework page. 

1. Use any book to search for words that follow the patterns in your weekly sort.

** Only use books or pages that you have already read.