Word Study at Home Practice Ideas

Monday  Your child will need to cut apart their words then sort them into categories like we did in school.  Your child should read each word aloud during this activity.  Ask your child to explain to you why the words are sorted in a particular way – what does the sort reveal about spelling in general?  Ask your child to sort them a second time as fast as possible.  This is called a speed sort.  You can even time them if they would like you to.

Tuesday  Do a blind sort with your child.  Lay down a word from each category as a header and then read the rest of the words aloud without showing your child.  You child must indicate where the word goes without seeing it.  Lay it down and let your child move it if he or she is wrong.  Repeat if your child makes more than one error.

Wednesday  Do a writing sort.  As you call out the words in a random order your child should write them in categories.  Call out any words your child misspells a second or third time.

Thursday Student may choose the method they would like to use to practice their words today.  They can choose between speed sort, blind sort, or writing sort.  Your child can also show you a different way we've practiced our sorts to do today.