Word Study Instruction

“The goal of effective spelling instruction is to create fluent writers, not perfect scores on spelling tests” (Rosencrans, 1998).

Learning to spell words should be more than just memorization. Students should learn to dig deeper into words to understand their multiple layers and these words should correlate with their word knowledge, building off of what they already know.

 “Word Study is an approach to spelling instruction that moves away from a focus on memorization. The approach reflects what researchers have discovered about the alphabetic, pattern, and meaning layers of English orthography. Teachers use a variety of hands on activities often called word work, to help students actively explore these layers of information “ (Williams, Phillips-Birdsong, Hufnagel, Hungler, Lundstrom, 570).

When using the word study approach with spelling instruction students learn more than just the words. The words becomes more than just letters. Below are tips teachers can use to guide the word study instruction in the classroom.

Tips for Implementing Word Study:

(From the article Word Study Instruction in the K2 Classroom by: Cheri Williams, with Colleen Phillips-Birdsong,
Krissy Hufnagel, Diane Hungler, and Ruth P. Lundstrom)

Tip 1: Assess Students’ Word Knowledge Using Multiple Assessment Tools- You must determine what your students know about the alphabetic, pattern, and meaning layers of the orthography.

Tip 2: Use a Homogeneous Small- Group Approach to Instruction- In order to meet students instructional needs there should be small group lessons. One approach to the small group instruction is to teach word study within context and another approach is to separate word study lessons for each developmental spelling level.

Tip 3: Carve Out Time to Prepare 
for Word Study Instruction- Teachers need to invest time in preparing word work lessons and activities in order for the word study to be successful. 

Tip 4: Teach Word 
Knowledge, Not Just Words- In a word study program students learn about words.

Tip 5: Demonstrate How
 Word Study Can Be Used During Reading and Writing- Apply the word study to authentic reading and writing events.  

Tip 6: Teach Strategies That Support Students’ Use of Word Study Instruction- Use explicit strategy instruction with the students.

Tip 7: Make Your Word Wall Work- This will be a display of words that the students can use as a resource when exploring the words.

Tip 8: “Word Work”
Should Work, Too!- Allow them to explore the different features of words through hands on games and activities.

Tip 9: Engage Students in Extensive “Real” Reading and Writing- See how they apply what they are learning about words in their own writing.

Word study teaches students how to use word knowledge strategically to support their spelling attempts during writing activities and to help them decode unfamiliar words while reading (Bear, Templeton 1998). It’s knowledge that students can apply, as they are reading and writing.

Are we seeing more of this type of approach being used to teach spelling in classrooms today, or is it still a memorization of words that are only really being used for spelling tests?

Resources:
Williams, C., Phillips-Birdsong, C., Hufnagel, K., Hungler, D., & Lundstrom, R. P. (2009). Word Study Instruction in the K-2 Classroom. The Reading Teacher, (7). 570

Newlands, M. (2011). Intentional Spelling: Seven Steps to Eliminate Guessing. The Reading Teacher, (7). 531.


Miss Carter on miss carters blog has some great anchor charts to use with students when learning to spell words. Here is one that I found, which seems like it would work well in the classroom!

And here is a Word Work freebie from Krista Wallden on teacherspayteachers.com