Words Their Way Word Study
The Fourth Grade teaching team at Westminster Elementary School has been awarded a grant to enhance spelling and strengthen literacy learning. Grade 4 is piloting a new spelling program known as Word Study, using the text Words Their Way. During Word Study, students are actively engaged in studying and using the rules of phonics and spelling. The focus of Word Study is placing words into categories known as word sorts. In putting words into categories, children can make associations and connections between words. Children are given time to discriminate and make judgments about sounds, word structures, spelling patterns and meanings. Word Study involves the entire fourth grade and resources can also be shared with third grade. Instruction is differentiated for each student based on errors made and each student is taught at their instructional level. Students are actively engaged in studying and using the rules of phonics and spelling. Grant money awarded to this team of teachers also funds the purchase of magnetic letters to supplement this program. The Foundation chose to fund this grant request in the amount of $310.95 because Words Their Way is a creative way to address the need for differentiated instruction, the teachers involved researched the most economical way to purchase the materials they needed, and the program can be used by both grades three and four at WES.
Grant Year: 2009-2010
Grant Recipients: Cindy Robbins, Cori Litalien, Diane Roumbakis Davolio, Kate Romano
Receiving Schools: Westminster Elementary School