Feature Article
Reenvisioning Spelling Instruction: Developmental Word Study Nonnegotiables
Nora Vines,
Jennifer Jordan,
Amy D. Broemmel,
Nora Vines
Search for more papers by this authorJennifer Jordan
Search for more papers by this authorAmy D. Broemmel
Search for more papers by this authorNora Vines,
Jennifer Jordan,
Amy D. Broemmel,
Nora Vines
Search for more papers by this authorJennifer Jordan
Search for more papers by this authorAmy D. Broemmel
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Spelling instruction has been researched over the last several decades, but unfortunately, researchers have determined that best practices have not generally transferred to classroom practice. The authors explored how quality word study professional development rooted in nonnegotiable tenets provided a framework for teacher and student construction of knowledge and practice. This work resulted in reframed conceptual knowledge on the part of the teachers and achievement growth on the part of the students.
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More to Explore
- Templeton, S., & Morris, D. (1999). Questions teachers ask about spelling. Reading Research Quarterly, 34(1), 102–112. https://doi.org/10.1598/rrq.34.1.6 (From “Why don't we just spell words the way they sound?” to “How should instruction be adjusted for students with a learning problem in the area of spelling?” [p. 103], this article addresses some of the most common questions the authors found teachers ask about spelling instruction.)
- Construct-a-Word at ReadWriteThink.org: http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/construct-word-30003.html (This student interactive allows students to build words using knowledge of onset and rime.)
- “Sort, Hunt, Write: A Weekly Spelling Program,”a ReadWriteThink.org lesson plan by Leigh Hall: http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/sort-hunt-write-weekly-278.html (This lesson plan integrates word study with contextual reading.)
- Reading Rockets: https://www.readingrockets.org/ (This website provides articles and videos to support teachers and parents alike in deepening their own linguistic knowledge.)