[shop78girl]

This board is just so helpful....so here goes another question.

I am starting Words Their Way with my students. I am implementing this to differentiate instruction. Is there any resources out there that will help with putting together words lists? Any help with coming up with sorts? What does each day look like in your classroom?

Thanks!

[jcgy7]

There are some supplemental books that go with the big one - they're worth the money in my eyes. I was pretty miserable when I was trying to make my own word lists. These books make it a lot easier. As far as each day, I don't have the time this year to do much word study every day , so I only do it twice a week during school but I give it for homework every night. On Mondays I meet with each group and do the sort all together. I make sure they understand how we're sorting and then they go off to sort their own words independently. They write their sort in their notebook and I also have them write a sentence either explaining how they sorted or something they learned. Then they don't do word study again in school until Thursday. On that day I have them do a speed sort independently or a no peeking sort with a partner, draw and label ten words, and use five other words in sentences. For homework, on Mondays they sort their words, on Tuesday they do a no-peeking sort, on Wednesdays they do sentences or definitions for three or four of the words that I have picked (I just put a * on the word list next to the words I want them to pay extra attention to), and then Thursday they sort their words again and write it down. I have a sheet where they record each activity and have a parent sign for accountability. I give quizzes on Friday. I only quiz them on ten of the words, making sure I take a few from each category. Hope this helps!

[heartbooks]

I also use Words Their Way. I love it! I have the supplemental books as well. My students get their sort of Monday morning and they cut, put their initials on the back, and sort. I check to make sure they sorted correctly. On Tuesday they sort and write their words in their word notebook. On Wednesday they write their words in sentences. (I require certain students to only write 6 sentences, some 12, some 15) On Thursday they sort their words, spell them forwards and backwards in their head (so they visualize the word) then they write them on whiteboards. I also sometimes have them choose some of their words to write in ABC order. On Friday I give them a quick assessment on 10 words, however I grade on their focus feature and not if the word is spelled correctly.

[rehcaet]

I love Words Their Way and want to start using it too. What are the names of the other books that you use with the program to get the lists. My school has a phonics word list for the week could I use that? (example-short a sounds) Thanks!

[heartbooks]

Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction (4th Edition)
This is the main book that explains what it is and the assessments

Words Their Way: Word Sorts for Within Word Pattern Spellers (2nd Edition)
This is the "yellow book" focuses on long vowel patterns and into inflectional endings... i use this for most of 2nd graders and half of my third graders.

Words Their Way Word Sorts for Syllables and Affixes Spellers (2nd Edition)
this is the "green book" is a step higher than the yellow book, i have the rest of my 3rd graders in this

Words Their Way: Word Sorts for Letter Name - Alphabetic Spellers (2nd Edition)
the "red book" this is short vowels and diagraphs/blends. I use this for my low second graders.

If you search amazon it is the first few books that come up.

[DebfromBC]

How do you find the time to do a lesson with each group on Mondays? I have 5, count em 5 spelling groups because my kids range from beginning grade 1 to grade 7 or higher. When I meet with the groups on Monday, which I prefer, it takes an hour. Students have cut their words, put their words into their agenda, completed a sort alone and with a buddy, and I'm still not finished meeting with groups.