Planning for Small Group Word Study Michelle McQueen Michelle McQueen

Why differentiate? Spelling instruction must be connected to the needs of the learner. Lists that are compiled for whole class memorization, will not meet the needs of individual learners. Children within a classroom vary in their accumulation of knowledge of individual words and of generative spelling patterns. Michelle McQueen

We will learn… The goal and purpose of word study How to assess students- using the assessments to create word study buddies and small groups How to implement a differentiated word study program that connects with reading and writing workshop Michelle McQueen

Some thoughts on word study… Goal and Purpose of word study: To teach kids through explicit instruction how to problem solve words, make generalizations, and transfer learning into their writing to better convey meaning. Michelle McQueen

Assessment: Spelling Inventory Michelle McQueen

Spelling Test Letter reversals don’t make or break the stage in K-1 Michelle McQueen

2 errors or more in a column “using but confusing” If a student is in between stages or you are unsure look at their writing 2 errors or more in a column Michelle McQueen

group1 group2 group3 group4 Michelle McQueen

Groups Organize students into developmental stages by looking at the top of the inventory Try to make only 3-4 groups with partnerships within the groups Group students into buddies by looking at how many they answered correctly… it naturally pairs them up Michelle McQueen

Creating Groups & Study Buddies LN-A Early (Final Consonants) S-T U-V W-X & Y LN-A Mid (Short Vowels)6 M-N O-P Q-R   LN-A Late Consonant Diagraphs G-F I-J A-K W/W Early (Blends) B-C D-E H-L Letters represent student names from the sample class composite Michelle McQueen

P l a n n i n g Create study buddies to sort and work together by looking for similarities of need Michelle McQueen

Planning Template to Organize Michelle McQueen

Differentiated Word Study Program Think of activities you can get the most mileage out of Teach activities whole group to set expectations Example: September October November Whole group teaching activities Whole group activities, teach small group expectations Start word study stations with small group Michelle McQueen

Using a Workshop Format to teach Word Study 15-20 minutes 5 minute mini-lesson 3-5 minute guided practice 5-7 minute independent work 2-3 minute share Michelle McQueen

Word Study Mini-Lesson Mini-lesson teacher demonstrates a word study strategy (building a sort) Could use a document camera, overhead projector, chart paper, or Promethean board Michelle McQueen

Guided Practice Takes place during the mini- lesson and allows students to “take on” the strategy Guided practice allows students to “help” with the sort Michelle McQueen

Independent Practice Students sort words or use mini-lesson strategy on their own Students analyze words themselves as they compare and contrast words through sorting into classifications Students practice the mini-lesson strategy taught through repeated sorts and games Michelle McQueen

Assessment Spelling Test Many formats on what words and how many words are available depending on grade of student you are working with Michelle McQueen

Establish Routines Launching the Word Study Block is done the same as other workshops Establish routines Demonstrate, Practice Practice some more Michelle McQueen

Organizing for Sanity Michelle McQueen

Managing 3-4 groups and supplies.. Color code developmental stages Color code games Use word study folders Example: Short vowel-green Digraphs-red Blends-blue Long vowels-yellow Diphthongs/Other vowels- orange Michelle McQueen

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Games and Activities in Word Study Michelle McQueen

Games Michelle McQueen

More activities Michelle McQueen

and more Michelle McQueen

and more Michelle McQueen

If I can spell… Michelle McQueen

Fitting Word Study Into Your Balanced Literacy Program Reading Workshop 45-60 minutes Guided reading groups Strategy groups Conferences Shared Reading/Word Study 25-30 minutes Word study groups Writing Workshop 45-60 minutes Guided writing groups Interactive Read Aloud Shared Writing Interactive Writing Michelle McQueen

Technology Ipads Little Stars Word Wizard Monkey Word School Adventure http://www.spellingcity.com/ Technology Michelle McQueen

Group Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Friday Early Letter Name Intro. Sort Teacher Word hunt If I can spell… Games Mid Letter Name Late Letter Name Early Within Word Turn & talk about what word study layout would work best for your grade. Group Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Friday Early Letter Name Teacher Sort Word hunt Games www. Mid Letter Name Late Letter Name Michelle McQueen

What are you using? Turn and talk to your neighbor about what word study activities would best fit your grade level/student needs What activities are you currently implementing that could fit into your word study block? Michelle McQueen

Resources Michelle McQueen