1. Bringing Word Study to Intermediate Classrooms
Janet W. Bloodgood
And Linda C. Pacifici
Created by: Gordon Fish

2. Positives
Focuses on meaning of words by drawing students’ attention to spelling patterns and word roots.
Connections to phonics, reading and writing
ESL concept and vocabulary development
Adds diversity to instruction
Teachers and students enjoyed the hands on, interactive activities

3. Negatives
Teachers see word study as supplemental rather than essential learning.
Not enough time in the day for spelling instruction
Some teachers have limited knowledge about the structure of their native language and the developmental nature of its spelling system.
Parents might not feel comfortable with this approach because they are familiar with the traditional approach.

4. Conclusions
Anecdotal teacher comments said that students developed an interest in word origins and became excited.
Students applied logic and critical thinking skills to spelling as well as to vocabulary and syntax.
Teachers needed a gradual introduction to word study and time to build their confidence, knowledge base and implementation strategies.

5. Four Units of Word Study
Root of the Day
Homophones for Within Word Pattern
Homographs for Syllable Juncture
Word Endings for derivational Constancy

6. Word Study Activities Root of the Day Word Sorts Homophone Rummy
Homograph Think Sheet
Homograph Concentration
-ar,-er and-or Think Sheet

7. Root of the Day Spectus/spectare Latin: to watch, Retrospective
look at
Retrospective
looking back
on past events:
Inspection:
to look into
Inspect:
to look into
Retrospect:
to look back

8. Word Sort Short i i-con-e igh y stick time flight wild try blimp guide
i con-con y
stick
time
flight
wild
try
blimp
guide
knight
find
fly
miss
stripe
sigh
child
sky

9. Homophone Rummy Played like rummy with pairs or triplets of matching
homophones.
Examples: ate and eight, to, too, and two

10. Homograph Think Sheet sùbject subjéct Homographs subject invalid
increase
extract
desert
record
content
refuse
combat
rebel
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Directions: Sort in column and put an accent over the vowel that is emphasized.
sùbject
subjéct

11. Homograph Concentration
Cards with sentences containing homograph with same grammatical context.
Example: The subject of my talk is economic policy. The British ambassador is a loyal subject of the queen.
Players take turns turning over two cards till they find two examples of homographs.
If cards don’t match they are turned back over.
Game continues till all cards are turned over.
Player who turns over the most cards wins.

12. -ar, -er and -or Think Sheet
doctor
labor
pastor
circular
danger
dancer
uglier
soldier
sailor
stellar
faster
solar
preacher
robber
favor
honor
humor
actor
dreamer
lower
Nouns
Adjectives
Agent
Concrete
Comparative
Scientific
doctor
dancer
favor
faster
happier
Solar
stellar
Abstract
Misc