Word Journeys: Assessment-Guided Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction [Paperback]

Kathy Ganske Phd (Author), Kathy Ganske (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572305592 | ISBN-13: 978-1572305595 | Publication Date: April 25, 2000 | Edition: 1

This book presents a highly practical approach to assessing children's spelling and word knowledge abilities and offering effective, appropriate instruction. Included is the Developmental Spelling Analysis (DSA), a dictated word inventory that enables teachers to quickly and easily evaluate students' stages of spelling development and their knowledge of important orthographic features. Detailed guidelines are set forth for engaging students in hands-on word study that is tailored to their specific strengths and weaknesses. Validated and field-tested, the instructional techniques described here reflect the author's many years of classroom experience. Particularly useful features of the book include narrative "snapshots" of children at different stages of spelling development; numerous examples of student work; suggested word sort activities for each orthographic feature; lists of recommended books and poems; and a focus on fostering a love of words through word play and language appreciation. Provided in the appendices are reproducible forms for administering the DSA, plus a list of over 12,000 words arranged by sound, pattern, and meaning-related features.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Word Journeys brings together phonics and spelling--a blessing for teachers who are trying to juggle a mismatched collection of lessons and objectives. The program is grounded in a thorough analysis of English orthography, and provides the teacher with professional guidance for deciding what is important and what is not. The assessment techniques are practical within the time limits of the regular classroom, and should also be helpful to reading specialists for diagnosis." --Robert Calfee, PhD, Professor and Dean, School of Education, University of California, Riverside

"Implementing a quality word study program is a major goal for our K-12 English program. Our school system has used Kathy Ganske's Developmental Spelling Analysis for many years. Now that the assessment, word lists, and activities are combined in one book, it will be much easier for teachers to use. Word Journeys is just what we have been looking for." --Sarah Scott, MA, Director of English Instruction, Rockingham School District, Harrisonburg, VA

 

"Word Journeys has opened a new world of information for me and for my preservice and inservice students. The integration of reading and spelling finally has fallen into place! Ganske's book is required reading in our reading methods courses and our master's-level reading clinic field experience. I have found that teachers' understanding of their students' needs has been greatly enhanced by the use of Ganske's Developmental Spelling Analysis and the associated word sorts and activities."--Geri Mohler, EdD, Graduate Literacy Program Coordinator, School of Education, California State University-Bakersfield

 

"Ganske has become my guide in moving from a traditional memorization approach to spelling instruction toward a more complete practice of teaching how words work. Word Journeys takes the serious literacy teacher on a tour of word patterns, features, and meanings within each of the stages children pass through as they become better spellers and users of the English language, and provides wonderful activities for use at each stage. I have had great success with this book!"--Linda Klausmeyer Thiel, second-grade teacher, Mead Elementary School, St. Vrain Valley School District, Colorado

 

 

From the Back Cover

"Word Journeys brings together phonics and spelling--a blessing for teachers who are trying to juggle a mismatched collection of lessons and objectives. The program is grounded in a thorough analysis of English orthography, and provides the teacher with professional guidance for deciding what is important and what is not. The assessment techniques are practical within the time limits of the regular classroom, and should also be helpful to reading specialists for diagnosis." Robert Calfee, PhD, Professor and Dean, School of Education, University of California, Riverside

"The author obviously has exemplary classroom experience in knowing how the nuts and bolts of word study really work. This book is just what teachers need." Nancy Areglado, MEd, Literacy Specialist/Staff Developer, Tenafly Public Schools, NJ

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (April 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572305592
• ISBN-13: 978-1572305595
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kathy Ganske, PhD, is Associate Professor of Literacy in the Graduate Teacher Education Program at Oberlin College. She is the author of numerous articles and books on literacy. Prior to her move to Ohio, she was a professor at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Dr. Ganske is a former classroom teacher of primary through upper-elementary grades and has taught in many regions of the country.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Word Journeys by Kathy Ganske, July 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Word Journeys: Assessment-Guided Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction (Paperback)

Word Journeys is a great supplementary resource to educators who are familiar with word study. Ganske includes a straightforward introduction to developmental word knowledge and assessment of same. Her years of classroom experience make this an authentic and highly usable text. Teachers will find the supplemental word lists in Appendix 1 to be a great source of words for sorting activities and the reproducible forms in Appendix 2 easy to use and very practical. Those who are new to word study will find this text easier to follow than Words Their Way(Bear,Templeton,Invernizzi and Johnston). Word Journeys is a welcome addition to the field of spelling and word study.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A valuable resource, September 28, 2010

By 

Justin Summers "music guru (HA!)" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Word Journeys: Assessment-Guided Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction (Paperback)

This is a valuable resource that covers all of the different stages of spelling knowledge. The explanations and ideas are presented clearly and are extremely useful. I think it is one of the better 'manuals' out there for classroom teachers and would suit any year/grade level. The book includes the now 'obligatory' spelling inventory, but even if you choose not to administer this, the book is a highly valuable resource and it is not dependent on using the inventory.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help students improve their vocabularies and spelling, June 8, 2010

By 

School Teacher (Chesapeake, VA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Word Journeys: Assessment-Guided Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction (Paperback)

I have found this very helpful in guiding me to help students improve their confidence through improving their vocabulary and spelling skills. (I teach high school English and SAT Prep.)