As I was writing All About Word Worts blog series, I was also working through LETRS training. One of the modules in LETRS focuses on word study. The timing of this module was perfect --as it coincided with the exact moment I was writing the blog series!
As I was reading through the module, I had many confirmations. Many of the effective, research based strategies mentioned in LETRS were the same as I had written about. Phew!
BUT...I had one major A-HA!
Dr. Moats and Dr. Tolman encouraged connecting words used in a word sort back to meaning. Whaaaaaat! I had never thought of that before--but it makes TOTAL sense!
I had always understood the point of word sorts to be additional (and application) of taught phonics skills with decoding, encoding and discovering word patterns.....but had never thought about adding a meaning component to it. Wow! Love it! Mind blown!
Research tells us that the more students learn about the structure of words, they better they will read them independently, the more readily they will process their meanings and the more they will understand and remember about their spelling. In other words....knowing a word well requires us to be able to identify all of the aspects of language present in the printed word. We need to know the words meaningful parts, syllables, graphemes AND phonemes.
So how do you add a meaning layer to your word sort? It is as simple as asking a few meaning based questions after students have completed their sort. Have students look at their completed sorts, and ask them some questions about the words they are looking at.
For example:
1. Which word means ______?
2. Find two words that rhyme.
3. Which words are things you can eat?
4. Which word is a synonym for_____?
5. Which word is an antonym for _____?
6. Which one is a animal?
7. Find a word that is a verb.
8. Find a word that is a noun.
9. Find a word that is an adjective, etc.
10. What is something you write with?
The list of possible questions you can ask are endless! I wouldn't go overboard on questions.....just 5-10 to add in a meaning component.
How great is that tip?!?!
It would be easy to modify the questions by having students locate a particular row. Example: in your /sh/ column find a word that _____.
Side note: If you are passionate about effective literacy instruction--LETRS training is a must! LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) was developed by renowned literacy experts Dr. Louisa Moats and Dr. Carol Tolman which provides Prek-5th grade teachers with the research, depth of knowledge and skills to improve literacy and language development of all students. A small group of educators in my district has been working through the first four units together, and I have learned quite a bit. I love how the professional development series provides in-depth explanations in a digestible way, AND also gives examples of application in the classroom. Check out this quick video below if sounds like something you (or your colleagues) might be interested in.
