Word Study: For Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instructio

Word Study offers a developmental approach, providing teachers with the resources to implement word study instruction aligned to students’ needs at every stage of their development, from kindergarten to junior secondary. The features of words that students learn in spelling enhance their reading skills, just as reading illuminates their spelling, vocabulary and writing. The awareness and appreciation of how students construct this knowledge empowers teachers to both advocate for developmental instruction and help students succeed in literacy learning. This approach gets results and stands in sharp contrast to most spelling programs that ask students to memorise rules and words.

Systematic, teacher-directed and student-centred, this seminal text, now in its seventh edition, is underpinned by an evidence-based approach and academic rigour that make this text a practical and engaging way for teachers to study word features, sound, pattern and meaning with students. The spelling inventories enable teachers to assess and then track student progress, while word sorts and word study games foster critical thinking by involving students in discussion, analysis and reflection.

Accompanying the print book is the companion website for Word Study, an online tool that provides educators with a way to engage students in interactive word study. Features include automatically scored spelling inventories, interactive word sorts, printable game templates and data reporting and oversight for grouping and assistance to monitor student progress.

There are five stage-specific word sort companions to Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary and Spelling Instruction. All books have been adapted for Australian classrooms with British English spelling and Australian pronunciation. All titles are available in print and as eBooks.