Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction [Paperback]

Donald R. Bear (Author), Marcia Invernizzi (Author), Shane Templeton (Author), Francine Johnston (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Written by teachers who are noted authorities in the field of spelling and word study, this comprehensive text/sourcebook explores word recognition and spelling skills K-12 -- with a K-8 emphasis. Based on extensive observations and experiences in real classrooms for more than 15 years, it combines discussions of theory and practical assessment tools and techniques with over 250 ready-to-use word study, spelling, vocabulary, and phonics activities presented in a developmental sequence from Preliterate through the Derivational Constancy stage. It shows students how to work with picture and word sorting, how to use word banks at the beginning levels, and how to incorporate word study into reading and writing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Merrill Publishing Company; 1 edition (September 7, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0023074906
• ISBN-13: 978-0023074905
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #679,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Donald is director of the E. L. Cord Foundation Center for Learning and Literacy and professor in the College of Education, and with preservice, Master's and doctoral students, teaches and assesses children who struggle to learn to read and write. Donald has been involved in innovative professional development grants, and has developed assessments used in school districts throughout the country. Donald is involved in numerous studies that examine literacy development including studies of the orthographic development in different and second languages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and Indispensible, July 21, 2000

By 

Susan Nunes (Medford, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction (Paperback)

While at the University of Nevada, Reno (where co-authors Donald Bear and Shane Templeton teach), I was required to have this book for my language arts method class. It is very practical, and teachers will enjoy the games and word sorts which help reinforce spelling, vocabulary, and phonics instruction. This book has a little bit of theory regarding the levels of reading literacy, but the majority of the book is devoted to word study activities.

This is a book that belongs on every teacher's bookshelf, and it is a book teachers will refer to time and again. It is a book designed to be USED, not talked about.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Word Study Resource, January 3, 2000

By 

Kathi Bakin (Arlington, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction (Paperback)

This book was assigned as part of my Master's in Reading program. It is well-written and easy to use. Ideas are plentiful. Sections include material which may be photocopied and used in the classroom or clinic setting. It helps inform teacher instruction and provides an excellent resource that honors the synchrony of reading, writing, listening and spelling. I use it and have seen results!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive and well-organized, October 13, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction (Paperback)

This book is an excellent resource for school board members, administrators, teachers, tutors, reading specialists, or anyone who believes that there has to be a better way of providing traditional diagnostic reading instruction.

Words Their Way offers a complete package for working with young readers. Carefully constructed within a wide range of activities is an adherence to a developmental philosophy of learning, assessment methods, and instructional strategies for a range of ages.

This book is a MUST for any reference library.