Word study is lively and hands-on — encouraging kids to become actively engaged in discovering and making sense of word patterns. Learn more about what the research says about teaching spelling, word study instruction that works, invented spelling, and how learning and attention issues can cause trouble with spelling. Browse the featured resources below, or dig deeper into all of the articles, research briefs, parent tips, and video clips in our Spelling and Word Study library.
Many young readers are puzzled by the rules and exceptions of spelling. Research shows that learning to spell and learning to read rely on much of the same underlying knowledge. Learn more about the relationships between letters and sounds and how a proper understanding of spelling mechanics can lead to improved reading.
The research is clear: good spelling instruction measurably improves spelling, and it also improves reading ability. In these blog posts, literacy expert Tim Shanahan tackles teacher questions about spelling:
When spelling is taught in ways that emphasize the patterns of the English language, it can be a beneficial use of class time. Get tips on how to choose word lists that help students learn these patterns and their exceptions.
Integrating high-frequency words into phonics lessons allows students to make sense of spelling patterns for these words. To do this, high-frequency words need to be categorized according to whether they are spelled entirely regularly or not. This article describes how to rethink teaching of high-frequency words.
Go inside a second grade classroom to see how one teacher integrates word study into her school’s reading program. Rather than memorizing rules, students are discovering spelling patterns. Watch the clip “Spelling Patterns” to see how the teacher gets her students talking about how we add “ing” to a verb.
Word walls that work, authentic writing exercises, and more — discover nine effective ideas for powering up your word study instruction. Word study moves away from memorization towards a deeper understanding of letter-sound relationships and patterns in English spelling.
Use this guide from Understood to see how dyslexia, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, visual processing issues, and dysgraphia can affect kids’ ability to spell. Key takeaways: Evidence-based spelling instruction at school is particularly important for kids with learning and attention issues; and computer spell-checking can be a good support for older kids, but it doesn’t replace the need for basic spelling skills.
Get the basics on effective spelling instruction in our free, self-paced online course. Learn about the different stages young children go through in developing their spelling skills and how phonetic or "invented" spelling can play an important role in helping children learn how to write. Find out what should be included in a spelling program (kindergarten through grade 3) as well as interventions for struggling readers.
Celebrate the life and civil rights work of Dr. King on January 20th — our National Day of Service where volunteers across the country work together to make a difference in their communities. Our list includes children's books about Dr. King, fiction and nonfiction books about ordinary people who stand up for what's right, and stories about helping others and giving back.
Introduce young readers to the spunky Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, and other novels that are still widely read and loved (and brought to the big screen even today!). Louisa lived during changing, often charged times. Meet Alcott, learn a bit about the era in which she lived, glimpse what she might have seen around her home Orchard House, and meet some of her contemporaries in fact and fiction.
A nighttime ride with a snowplow driver, charming stories about animal friends (foxes, bears, birds, beavers, ducks) enjoying the snow, the true story of the 1888 blizzard of New York City, and a picture book from Kevin Henkes celebrating the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. In all, 10 picture books about the winter season.
Do you have any young sleuths or adventure-seekers in your house? Kids are fascinated by the mysteries of the world around them. Nourish their natural curiosity and problem-solving skills with our handpicked collection of fiction and nonfiction picture books, hands-on activities, interactive apps, online resources for deeper learning.
Sharing lots of different kinds, or genres, of books with your child exposes him to different words, different kinds of images, and whole new worlds. This tip sheet suggests some genres to try with your young reader that complement traditional fiction. (In English and Spanish)
Learning to read is a challenge for many kids, but most can become good readers if they get the right help. Parents have an important job in recognizing when a child is struggling and knowing how to find help. Here are some signs to look for and things to do if you suspect your child is having trouble reading. (In English and Spanish)
In this new blog post, literacy expert Tim Shanahan discusses why and how to use demonstrations in teaching concepts of print, decoding, oral reading fluency, comprehension, and writing. The teaching sequence is: demonstration, prompt, practice. Deliberate practice matters, but students often don’t know what to practice and that’s where demonstrations (repeated, as needed) come in.
Reading expert Linda Farrell shows third grader Xavier how to read and spell unfamiliar multisyllable words. To figure out how many syllables are in a word, Ms. Farrell teaches Xavier to ask two questions: How many vowels are in the word? Are the vowels together or apart? In a separate video, Ms. Farrell listens to Xavier read aloud to help him read with accuracy.
Think-pair-share is a collaborative learning strategy where students work together to solve a problem or answer a question about an assigned reading. This is a great strategy for encouraging whole-class participation — and drawing out kids who are often reluctant to talk in front of the whole class. Peek inside Cathy Doyle's second grade classroom in Evanston, Illinois to observe her students learning the think-pair-share strategy.
This guide from the U.S. Department of Education provides information for kindergarten teachers on how to support families as they practice foundational reading skills at home. Included are videos that show families engaging their child in literacy activities aligned with classroom instruction. This resource is a companion to the teacher’s practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade.
Reading Rockets is a national educational service of WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capital. The goal of the project is to provide information on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help. Reading Rockets is supported in part by the Poses Family Foundation and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes.
Send your questions, comments, or suggestions to readingrockets@weta.org. Our mailing address is WETA/Reading Rockets, 2775 S. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22206. We look forward to hearing from you!
