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PSPKK12363 Comments

A Better Way to Teach Spelling

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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UPDATE:

The original blog post at this link was about the word study approach to teaching spelling. While the act of sorting words can be useful, I no longer believe that Words Their Way should be a core spelling curriculum because it does not include enough explicit instruction.

Stay tuned for a new series about teaching spelling in 2023!

Free Spelling Games

Get this fun variety of sample spelling games from the membership site! The download includes resources for spelling CVCE words, long vowel teams, and multi-syllable words.

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Filed Under: Spelling Tagged With: first grade, second grade, third grade, kindergarten, word study

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The 5 stages of spelling development

Reader Interactions

63 Comments

  1. D

    May 3, 2019 at 10:12 am

    All About Spelling is a program based on word study. I’ve used it with many students. It’s worth checking out.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      May 8, 2019 at 5:42 pm

      Thanks, I’ve heard good things about their curricula!

      Reply to this comment
  2. Kelly

    April 23, 2019 at 10:08 pm

    Thank you so much for this series! I am excited to delve into it more as this really seems to align with how my children naturally seem to learn spelling best. Kelly

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      April 27, 2019 at 8:47 am

      You’re welcome, Kelly!

      Reply to this comment
  3. Sandra Mosley

    September 8, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    Have a look at WordLab from New Zealand. Easy to use, up-to-date, multi-level, research-based.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      September 27, 2017 at 12:40 pm

      Thanks for that recommendation, Sandra!

      Reply to this comment
  4. Sam

    August 18, 2017 at 9:27 pm

    Dear Anna,
    Great thinking!
    This is a wonderful resourse. I wouldn’t normally sign (up and overfill my inbox!) but this seems well worth it.
    I know about child centered learning, and yet I didn’t always get the advantage myself as a child. Therefore it’s hard to stay on track when teaching my kids.
    I can see that you have studied or are aware of current research into learning, and I am so grateful for your sharing. This is just what my family needs right now!
    Thanks for sharing your work!

    I do hope I spelt my words correctly!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      August 29, 2017 at 11:02 am

      Thank you so much for your kind comment, Sam! I do hope you find many useful resources on my site!

      Reply to this comment
  5. Jenny

    September 27, 2015 at 10:34 pm

    We can’t afford a new curriculum, but I would like to implement the word study approach to what we have–we have BJU, which does teach the word familes and would be easy to create the word study with.

    Any ideas for various days of the week?

    What about my 7th grader who can read at a high school level but still has trouble with a few spelling patterns? ( doubling the consonant before a suffix)

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      October 4, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      Hi Jenny!

      Here’s a post with a sample schedule: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/meaningful-spelling-activities-a-week-of-word-study-word-study-part-5/

      I think for your seventh grader you can check the appendix of the book and just have him or her do word sorts and games for the spelling patterns that are a problem. It’s actually not unusual for kids who read well to still struggle with spelling patterns.

      Reply to this comment
  6. Kari

    June 8, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    I have some questions for you on WTW. We are currently using the program at school. I am struggling to find this program successful. From what I see, WTW is similar to a conventional spelling program, because either way they have to memorize things. My students struggle to identify and sort words on their own, especially at the Syllables and Affixes level. I would love for this program to make my kids successful, however it hasn’t happened yet. I have the book you posted, but I haven’t read the whole thing. I have moved to a new grade level, and they made worksheets to go with every lesson. I think that it’s important for kids to have some of the skills that they acquired in the old spelling, that they don’t get with WTW. I have also been to a conference on WTW. They said that each kid should be working at their own level, which I kind of do, but if it each kid… how do you keep track of where everyone is?? If you have any helpful tips for me, that would be great!

    Thanks,
    Kari

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      June 8, 2015 at 8:01 pm

      Great questions, Kari! I’d be happy to talk more about them through e-mail. You can reach me at anna@themeasuredmom.com

      Reply to this comment
      • Lorraine

        July 27, 2015 at 5:23 am

        is there anyway to print these interesting blogs?

        Reply to this comment
        • Anna Geiger

          July 27, 2015 at 11:09 am

          You can always cut and paste the post into a Word document to print. That’s what works for me!

          Reply to this comment
  7. Fatima

    March 29, 2015 at 2:12 am

    Hey Anna,

    hope you are doing good!!!

    i have been following your site for quite a sometime now
    and im so inspired to use word study to supplement my kindergarten going daughter at home
    motivated to buy words their way i went to check out amazon
    i decided to buy ” words their way” for emergent spellers

    but there is a newer edition
    Words Their Way for PreK-K (Words Their Way Series)

    so am confused which one to buy

    please suggest me what will be the difference between them and what i should buy..

    Thanks Anna

    for all your resources and advices

    Reply to this comment
  8. Angie

    July 16, 2013 at 11:36 am

    I have printed and read all of your posts on this. I went looking for the book and of course looking for the best price. It seems that there are two programs. One is by traditional grade levels and one by developmental stage, but both seem to be by Pearson. Help! I’m confused.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 24, 2013 at 7:02 am

      Hello, Angie!
      I’m so sorry it took me so long to get back with you. A lot of my comments got buried when I was on vacation. Hmmm… I am not sure what you are looking at when you say that one is by traditional grade levels and one by developmental stage. If you are still looking for these, could you give me the links to each product so I can check them out? I’ll get back to you sooner, I promise!

      Reply to this comment
    • Angie

      July 24, 2013 at 10:12 am

      http://www.amazon.com/Words-Their-Way-Vocabulary-Instruction/dp/0137035101/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374678411&sr=8-1&keywords=words+their+way

      This is the book from your post.

      http://www.christianbook.com/words-their-grade-k-homeschool-bundle/9781428432345/pd/843234?item_code=WW&netp_id=959344&event=ESRCG&view=details

      This is the other materials. It comes with a student notebook and is divided into grade levels, ie Kindergarten, first.

      Both books look great! The first is a one time buy for all my students it seems. But the second comes with notebooks for them and may have much of the work done for me. My children’s ages are 8, 5, 3, 1.

      Reply to this comment
      • Anna Geiger

        July 26, 2013 at 10:29 pm

        Hello again, Angie!

        You have directed me to a resource I didn’t know existed. It looks pretty amazing! Judging from the few pages I could see in the preview, I think that the second item you shared would be a good purchase for a busy homeschooling mom. One caveat I would offer is that you should still give your children the spelling inventory to see what level they are at — just because your child is in first grade, for example, does NOT necessarily mean you should start at the beginning of the first grade book. Depending on his or her ability, you might even need a different grade level entirely.

        Use the spelling inventory to determine your child’s level of development. Then check the table of contents of each book (which you can view online) to see where best to begin. The spelling inventory is in the book I recommend, but if you check this post from This Reading Mama you will find a link to a free spelling inventory online: http://thisreadingmama.com/resources-links/informal-readingspelling-assessments/

        I hope this helps – I am happy to answer any further questions you have!

        Reply to this comment
        • Angie

          July 27, 2013 at 11:47 am

          I am so impressed that you have taken so much time with this. Thank you!

          Reply to this comment
          • Anna Geiger

            July 30, 2013 at 6:13 am

            Glad to help, Angie!

            Reply to this comment
  9. Carrie

    June 21, 2013 at 11:42 am

    Oh, that looks really interesting. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      July 4, 2013 at 7:24 pm

      Thanks for checking it out!

      Reply to this comment
  10. Nicole Guzman

    June 17, 2013 at 11:11 am

    Love Words Their Way! I discovered it during my master’s degree program… I used it in my classroom when I taught full time, and now I use it at home with my own kids. It is so effective and simple. Personally, I think their premade word sort books for each level are worth the cost for busy homeschooling families!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      July 4, 2013 at 7:24 pm

      Thanks so much for the tip about the premade word books, Nicole! I’ll add something to that effect in my post.

      Reply to this comment
  11. Jennifer

    June 15, 2013 at 9:28 am

    You have piqued my interest. My child is heading into 1st Grade. And, to be honest, I never thought about how crazy the English language is until he started learning to read. There are so many rules and exceptions! From a 1st Grader’s perspective, it does seem excessive. Looking forward to seeing your free sheets… will be using them for the summer.

    And thanks so much for linking up to my Friday Flash Blog on The Jenny Evolution

    Jennifer

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 17, 2013 at 6:20 am

      Thanks, Jennifer! I look forward to sharing more when I get back from my vacation.

      Reply to this comment
  12. Shaunna @ Fantastic Fun and Learning

    June 15, 2013 at 6:46 am

    Great post! I used Words Their Way and other companion books while teaching in the classroom, and I’m looking forward to taking a word study approach at home with my girls. I’m looking forward to reading your additional posts on this topic.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 17, 2013 at 6:19 am

      So glad to know you’re another word study fan, Shaunna! This will be a fun series for me.

      Reply to this comment
  13. Reshama

    June 13, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    This is very interesting! I would love to get my hands on the book and see what they suggest. Spelling can get very tedious quickly if you dont do it right. Thanks for sharing this link of Jenny’s linky!
    -Reshama
    http://www.stackingbooks.com

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 13, 2013 at 8:20 pm

      Thanks for checking it out, Reshama!

      Reply to this comment
  14. Paula - Riverton Housewives

    June 13, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    What great ideas! I can’t wait to try these with our 5 year old! We’d love for you to link this up at our party! http://www.housewivesofriverton.com/2013/06/riverton-housewives-round-up-69.html

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 13, 2013 at 8:19 pm

      Thanks for letting me know about your link party, Paula!

      Reply to this comment
  15. LaNell

    June 13, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    I have used the “scientific spelling” curriculum before. Is “word study” similar?

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 13, 2013 at 8:18 pm

      Hi LaNell! Can you tell me more about the scientific spelling curriculum? That’s new to me.

      Reply to this comment
      • LaNell

        June 14, 2013 at 8:08 am

        Scientific doweling teaches by grouping the words into phonic patterns. For example, you might have words that use the different patterns for long a like a, a consonant e, and ay. You teach students about the exceptions that go along with that letter sound also. It breaks the word down by initial, middle and final sound. You also teach “rule” words, such as ” floss rule” ( words that have a short vowel before a final f, l, or s, double the f, l, or s- example stiff, well, glass).

        Reply to this comment
        • annageig

          June 17, 2013 at 6:19 am

          Hmm – what sounds the same is grouping words into patterns. However, Word Study doesn’t break words down by sounds, and one thing Word Study never does is teach rules. It teaches generalizations and exceptions. And it doesn’t get into nitty gritty phonics rules like the “floss rule.” That sounds a lot to me like Saxon phonics — have you heard of that? Some people truly love its regimentation but I taught with it and wow – I’m not sure I could despise anything more! But I’ll get off my soapbox before I get carried away!

          Reply to this comment
  16. Adrienne

    June 13, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    interest peaked! I was just telling my husband yesterday that I don’t think I’m going to buy anymore spelling curriculum. It seems like my son learns more spelling from reading and discovering new words than lists. I printed out a “mystery word” book mark for him to write down any words he doesn’t know, and then we’ll “investigate”!

    There are so many variations to phonics rules that’s it seems like once I teach one thing, there’s four hundred exceptions anyway.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 13, 2013 at 8:18 pm

      Yes, the exceptions are crazy! Word Study teaches patterns and then calls those exceptions “oddballs” — it’s a nice way for kids to really examine those words that don’t fit the pattern without being totally frustrated by all the rule breakers!

      Reply to this comment
  17. Capri + 3--Theresa

    June 13, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    Word Study sounds like a really interesting approach to spelling. You have “piqued my interest.” I look forward to reading more about it. Thank you for the information and comparisons.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 13, 2013 at 8:17 pm

      You’re welcome, Theresa!

      Reply to this comment
  18. Lindsey Whitney

    June 13, 2013 at 9:28 am

    Visiting from Dollie’s link up — we’re just starting to read and spell, so this will be helpful! I also am anxious to check out your word family printables!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 13, 2013 at 8:17 pm

      Great! I hope you find things you can use, Lindsey!

      Reply to this comment
  19. Len

    June 12, 2013 at 12:32 am

    So I have a question(s), I have been looking at purchasing the “Word Their Way” book for homeschool use. I’m questioning what exactly to get. They have the “main” book but does that have all the word sorts or just the lists? I don’t mind typing up sorts in Word, if I have the lists to type. There are some used ones that are less expensive but no DVD and/or CD, do I need the DVD and/or CD? There are also the colored books, are those needed if I have the “main” book? What’s the difference between the colored books and the “main” book? Thank you, I really look forward to the rest of the series!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 12, 2013 at 1:54 am

      Hi Len! I’m excited that you’re considering starting Word Study! In my opinion, the “main” book is all you need. You do not need the DVD and CD. Those are just intended to save you some time because they have some game patterns and a couple other things. I don’t remember using them much if at all. The colored books may or may not be useful — in reading online I see that they are also timesavers and may also have some useful lesson planning information. You are correct in assuming that the main book has all the word sorts, but that they are NOT written up as lists. (A very simple thing to do – just type them up as a table.)

      My guess is that the colored books are more of a timesaver for a classroom teacher who has several word study groups and a lot more prep than you would have with just your own child(ren) at home.

      Also, there is a newer edition of the Words Their Way book. Since I got out of teaching I have already bought a newer edition (the one I linked to), so I will probably not buy another new one. I linked to the second to last one because that is the one that I will be referring to in my posts. My guess is that you will be quite content choosing that one if you choose not to buy the brand new one.

      Another benefit to choosing the second to last one (that I linked to) is that I have it in my hands and can answer any questions based on page number. I love Word Study and am very happy to be your resource via the comments section or my e-mail: themeasuredmom@gmail.com. I am also available by phone should you need a longer consultation :).

      I hope this answered your questions! Now I should really go back to bed. 🙂

      Reply to this comment
    • Nicole G

      June 17, 2013 at 11:21 am

      I posted below, but personally, I found the colored books you refer to a huge timesaver in homeschool prep. To answer your other questions, the CD ROM has some printables of activities, but it isn’t thorough enough. The main WTW book is mostly the theory of word study. It has assessment tools and is the starting point. It has some activities, but it certainly doesn’t have everything (especially for higher levels). The colored level-specific books give actual, prepared word sorts (basically the prep work done for you). Hope that helps!

      Reply to this comment
      • Nicole G

        June 17, 2013 at 11:22 am

        Oh, and the main book has some word lists, but certainly not all.

        Reply to this comment
        • annageig

          July 4, 2013 at 7:20 pm

          I’m sorry I’m late in replying here, Nicole – I really appreciate your comments about the colored books. I didn’t realize that the extra books have a lot more word sorts. I wish there was a preview of those books on Amazon. I really don’t want to buy them to check them out, since I don’t need them! Also good to know that they provide more for the higher levels. When I taught Word Study I only taught through the Syllables and Affixes stage.

          Reply to this comment
          • Elisabeth

            September 24, 2017 at 7:26 am

            Just be aware that in the newest books the lists etc. are on the online subscription you get six months of, and the website never seems to work. You might be better off with the older edition.

            Reply to this comment
  20. Carla

    June 11, 2013 at 12:03 pm

    Well, yes…you’ve piqued my interest! I tend to use more activities and word explorations that teach patterns in spelling…I should not be surprised there’s a whole philosophy behind it, lol! I’m so glad you shared this at Teach Me Tuesday at Preschool Powol Packets!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 13, 2013 at 8:16 pm

      Thanks for stopping by, Carla! I hope the rest of the series gives you some practical information.

      Reply to this comment
  21. Kristi @ The Potter's Hand Academy

    June 11, 2013 at 8:58 am

    This looks like a wonderful resource. Spelling is so important, and it’s not easy to find the right curriculum for it. I’ll definitely be checking this out, thanks!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 13, 2013 at 8:16 pm

      I hope it’s useful for you, Kristi!

      Reply to this comment
  22. jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa

    June 11, 2013 at 7:40 am

    Great post on Words Their Way. I agree it is an excellent resource. I was one of those kids that memorized spelling words for the test and then promptly forgot them. When I began teaching, I knew there had to be a better way to teach spelling.

    We also use Alphaphonics as part of our curriculum. Quick organized introductions to word patterns. For those just getting started with teaching reading, writing and spelling Words Their Way goes more in depth than Alphaphonics.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 13, 2013 at 8:15 pm

      Thanks for the note about Alphaphonics, Jeannine. I’ve never heard of it. I’ll have to look into that.

      Reply to this comment

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