1. Planning for Small Group Word Study
Michelle McQueen
Michelle McQueen

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Assessment: Spelling Inventory
Michelle McQueen

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

7. 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

8. group1 group2 group3 group4
Michelle McQueen

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. Planning Template to Organize
Michelle McQueen

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. Organizing for Sanity
Michelle McQueen

21. 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

22. Michelle McQueen

23. Michelle McQueen

24. Games and Activities in Word Study
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25. Games
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26. More activities
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27. and more
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28. and more
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29. If I can spell…
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30. Fitting Word Study Into Your Balanced Literacy Program
Reading Workshop minutes
Guided reading groups
Strategy groups
Conferences
Shared Reading/Word Study minutes
Word study groups
Writing Workshop minutes
Guided writing groups
Interactive Read Aloud
Shared Writing
Interactive Writing
Michelle McQueen

31. Technology Ipads Little Stars Word Wizard Monkey Word School Adventure
Technology
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32. 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

33. 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

34. Resources
Michelle McQueen