Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

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

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A core text or supplement for phonics and reading methods courses. Words Their Way, Third Edition is designed to help teachers address the needs of all readers and spellers, by setting out a clear way to accomodate each student's developmental level, then providing the best methods for teaching to that level. In support of this philosophy, the authors provide more than 250 ready-to-use activities for teaching word study, spelling, vocabulary, and phonics. The text is organized by developmental sequence, and activities appropriate for each level are inclusive within each chapter. Additional word sorts and directions for games are located in the Appendix.

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 3 edition (May 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131113380
• ISBN-13: 978-0131113381
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,397 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

116 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words Their Way Curriculum Also Effective for Older Students, August 16, 2001

By	K. Wieland (South Wales, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I acquired this book on the recommendation of one of my professors. I had heard great things about the program's effectiveness with younger readers, but was not convinced I could adapt it to suit the needs of older students with reading difficulties. However, because my students dislike worksheets as much as I do, I am constantly searching for hands-on activities that developed word attack and spelling skills. Donald Bear et al provided me with numerous games and word sorts to use with my reading classes. It has also been possible to extend the curriculum to a higher level by creating additional word sorts that focus on the specific issue of high school readers/spellers. In my opinion, this book is an essential resource for every elementary teacher, language arts teacher, reading specialist, or tutor.

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding how to help children read, January 30, 2000

By	Dr. Mike Zachary "mzachary" (Santa Clara, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Dr. Bear and his co-authors describe the stages most children go through as they learn to read, and they provide specific teaching methods that help students move from where they are to the next level of accomplishment.

Extensive research has indicated that a child's spelling is a window to his level of learning. This book provides diagnostic tests that only take a few minutes to give, but provide specific and valuable information about the child's level of literacy.

I have required my college students in Tests & Measurements to purchase this book and to perform tests on children.

Though the introductory chapters seem to be a "heavy read" to some, this book is clear, well-written, and practical. Teachers and curriculum supervisors would be well advised to understand the material set forth in this volume.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Susan Nunes (Reno, NV 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.