Word Work
Kinderpedia – Encyclopedia for kids
(This seems to be under development still)
Flashcards
(This has flashcards for university level students too)
Sources of Words – Primary/Infant
- use high frequency words for your weekly five spelling words
- use words from content areas
- use review words from the word wall
- use 3 challenge words each week
- example of lists can be found at JSD Comprehensive Balanced Literacy.
Sources of Words – Upper Elementary/Standard II
- review high frequency words
- words from students’ writing and reading
- use review words from the word wall or Tricky Word Corner
- contractions
- unusual words
- compound words
- words with prefixes and suffixes
- plurals
- words from content areas
- use words from Making Words or similar activities
- use 3 challenge words each week
Word Substitution
- In this activity, students brainstorm different words for overused words such as said, happy, big, etc.
- As a class build charts the display the alternatives and post them in the room.
- If there isn’t room on your wall, consider have students keep these lists in an easily accessible place.
Cloze
- Use to teach how to use context cues
- In lower grades you might use this strategy by removing only letters or word families from words.
- In higher grades you might use this strategy by removing words or phrases.
- Further information: Cloze Test
Word Explosion
- Explain that small, root words can be used to amke bigger words.
- Put a root word on the board.
- Add cards with prefixes and suffixes .
- Have students create new words with the root word and suffixs and prefixes.
- Have students record their new words.
