The way I understand the assessment (I've been using it for about 8 years) is that you give the assessment targeted for your grade level. There is one for primary ,one for elementary, and even one in Spanish. There are stopping points for 1st grade, 2nd grade, etc. that are based on the spelling patterns that are developed by that age child. For example, at the beginning of the year, the last few words given to 2nd graders have long vowel spelling patterns (ai, ea, etc). Then you analyze the spellings of the words to determine what developmental stage each child is in. If a child can spell all CVC words correctly, for ex., and spell a few of the silent e patterns correctly, then that child would be in the early within words spelling group to continue working on silent e/short vowel pattern sorts, and eventually moving on to other long vowel patterns, with blends & digraphs included.
I've used it even more now that I"m in 2nd grade (past 3 year), and typically have 3 or 4 spelling groups--one "below" grade level (still working on short vowel spelling), one "on" grade level (long vowel spelling patterns) and one "above" (other vowel patterns--oi, au, etc). Many of our upper grade teachers use it as well--and they often have 3 spelling groups, too. FYI--the authors now have books of sorts for each spelling stage. Very handy! Melissa/VA/2nd On Fri, Jun 11, 2010 at 7:20 PM, Sue and Paul Therrien < [email protected]> wrote: > Hi, I think it is the new "in" method, but I am not sure I see it being > successful long term. But we have just used it one year. They tell you to do > an assessment and that you start after they get two wrong. But I would > disagree because some kids have good memories. As it turned out I had to > pull way back because kids did not have vowel digraphs patterns learned or > basic patterns, because we use Readers Workshop (Caulkins) really does not > focus on phonics. They are now supporting Words Their Way, so that is why we > have it. > > > --- On Fri, 6/11/10, Karen Back <[email protected]> wrote: > > > From: Karen Back <[email protected]> > Subject: [MOSAIC] Words their Way > To: "'Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group'" < > [email protected]> > Cc: [email protected] > Date: Friday, June 11, 2010, 2:02 AM > > > Hi there > > > > Apologies for cross posting.... > > > > I am interested in hearing from teachers who are using 'Words Their Way' as > part of their spelling and vocab. program. I particularly would like to > know more about how it is managed in the room when you have children at > various levels. > > The program is becoming very popular here (Queensland, Australia) and > schools are finding it is improving data. I know from previous threads on > these lists there are quite a few of you that use it, so I thought I would > go straight to the experts! > > > > Any information you can provide would be a great assistance. > > > > Kind regards, > > > > Karen Back > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > [email protected] > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > [email protected] > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
