Word work has children working on spelling, sight words, letter sounds, syllables, and so much more. Word work can be implemented during reading, seat work, free choice, or even homework for practice. Word works aim is to make students have a stronger ability to recognize words or features that they may come across in their reading. When children have daily practice with word work that is differentiated to meet the varying levels of students, they can begin to apply their learnings to not only reading and writing but to other areas of education such as math, science, and social studies. In my future classroom, I will implement differentiated word work to make sure my students gain stronger recognition of word features and sight words that they will come across not only over the course of their time in school but also throughout the rest of their lives.
Evidence #1: Long a vs. Short a The image below is of a game I created for a student I tutored over the course of a semester. After assessing the student using a spelling inventory, I noted that she could benefit from more time working with long vowels. Over the course of the semester I did this in many ways from vowel sorts to card games to board games. This board game pictured below was to help the student I tutored tell the difference between long a and short a. The student started at the start, space rolled a die, and moved the number of spaces. The space the student landed on was the word they said and once they said it they had to say whether it used the long a or the short a. This helped the student to try listening for the different sounds the long versus short a made. This game could also be played with small groups of students struggling with vowels and could be used with the range of vowels and once students have had time working with the different vowels they can be combined onto one board. This way students receive more of a challenge trying to decipher the type of vowel being used.
Evidence #2: Word Work Technology At one of my past field sites, they utilized a set of iPads during their Daily 5 rotations to have the children practice word work. They had pre-selected apps that the children could use to practice spelling, meaning, syllables, word sounds and so much more. This was a great way to integrate technology into what the students were learning. At this time in the world, technology is becoming increasingly larger and larger and more students are using it. These types of interactive games and apps help children to have a hands on experience that they do not get from traditional worksheets. Now while all schools may not have access to a class set of iPads or computers, if they do, these are great resources to help build students' skills and knowledge of different types and parts of words. Below is a link to site that offers a list of apps that students can use both at school and at home if they have access. www.fractuslearning.com/2015/04/08/word-work-apps-elementary-classroom/