Betz teachers find success with 'Words Their Way'

At a recent Cheney School Board meeting, Betz Elementary School first-grade teacher Linda Ableman and fourth-grade teacher Kyndra Kacalek informed the school board about how they've seen some growth and positives after implementing "Words Their Way" into their curriculum.

"Words Their Way" is a developmental spelling, phonics and vocabulary program developed by Francine Johnson, Donald Bear and Shane Templeton. It is an approach to spelling and word knowledge that allows teachers different strategies for instruction in phonics, spelling and vocabulary.

The program teaches students to examine words to discover regularities, patterns and conventions of the English language in order to read, write and spell. It also increases a specific student's knowledge of spelling and meaning of individual words.

According to Ableman, students set learning goals and take a primary spelling inventory test at the beginning of the year to see what level they are at. Throughout the year, students will engage in different learning activities, one being word sorting. For word sorting, students use their knowledge to group together words that have similar features, such as sound, pattern or meaning, and separate them from oddball words, which do not share those characteristics. Word sorting also helps students make generalizations about words and transfer this knowledge to new words. Students keep a word notebook where they record known patterns and new understandings about the words they learn.

Another activity is word hunt, where students search for words in their reading and writing that fit the pattern they are studying. They also construct a word wall illustrating examples of the different patterns they've learned.

"Every student in class has experienced growth in reading and writing, it's been amazing." Ableman said.

First-grader Kayanna Pemberton said the program has helped her learn her words as well as reading.

Ableman said the program also complements other subjects such as using math to help students count the number of words in a category.

"Words Their Way is different," Ableman said. "Before, students get the same word and have to work at the same pace. Now everyone is working at their own skill level. It helps them build their skills at their own pace."

Similar to Ableman's class, Kacalek has her students set goals each week and do word sorting in small groups. Students are also learning about Greek and Latin roots of words. Every Friday there is a spelling test.

"It's made the difference to a lot of those who are struggling," Kacalek said. "Students who were not able to read words before are now writing better and passing tests. Now we celebrate on Friday when they pass the spelling test. It's a great program."

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].