Each “cycle”, the students are asked to do a variety of activities surrounding the sort that they are working on:

Day 1: Introduce sort – group works with teacher to discuss vocabulary, sorting rules and spelling/reading strategies

Day 2: Cut out/initial sort – independently, students sort their own words in the same manner as day 1.

Day 3: Speed sort & Mix and Fix

Day 4: Speed sort & Hidden sort

Day 5: Speed sort & Hidden sort 2

Day 6: Speed sort, Travel Spelling

Day 7: Speed sort and Glue down

Homework: Study for Dictation

Day 8: Dictation (spelling test)

What They Do:

Speed sort – sort as fast as you can

Mix and Fix – partner swaps 3 pairs, student identifies errors and fixes. Partner checks.

Hidden sort #1 – partner calls the word, student points to the appropriate column according to the spelling rule being studied.

Hidden sort #2 – adult calls the words, student writes the word under the appropriate column in their book. Focus is on sorting rule and spelling.

Travel Spelling – student puts their sort in an alternate location, book remains at desk. Taking one word at a time, read the word, whisper spell it and flip it over. Word remains where it was, student returns to desk and writes the word in their book, under the appropriate column. Focus is on sorting rule and spelling.

By the time the cycle is over, the children are familiar with their words. We try to give 2 days notice for practice at home (By this time, their words have been written in their books for a number of activities, so all they need to bring home is their books. The must remember to return their book each day as it’s a book that is frequently in use).

After their dictation (i.e. spelling test), they are asked to copy the incorrectly spelt words down at least 8 times for reinforcement. Their Word Sort books should come home after the dictation so that they may share their results with their families. Please sign the dictation to let me know that your child has shown you their dictation.

When a child has missed a number of words on their dictation, We may send home an additional copy to work on after they’ve completed the cycle. This means that they require more practice on the sort. Please try the above activities as reinforcement.