September 2013
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s),
We are very excited to share with you some information about the “Words Their Way” word
study program for Edina Public Schools students in grades 1-5. The adoption of this
proven literacy program signifies a shift away from traditional spelling, focused on
memorizing words in isolation, to studying the patterns and meanings of words and
making generalizations about word patterns in the English language. Research shows that
word study supports students in improving their writing, reading comprehension and
vocabulary skills.
Approaching literacy instruction through word study has been shown to increase children’s
ability to spell and read words with greater accuracy and fluency. Reading, writing and
spelling development are closely related, and word
study is an essential component of a balanced literacy
“Using a systematic approach, guided
program. With the materials and instructional
by an informed interpretation of
routines supported through Words Their Way, your
spelling errors and other literacy
student(s) will work through the developmental
behaviors, Words Their Way offers a
teacher-directed, child-centered plan
stages of word learning. As they learn, they will be
for the study of words.”
exploring words, comparing and contrasting how they
are constructed and their meanings.
(Bear, Donald R. et al. Words Their Way. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Learning (2012).
Pg.xxi)
Word study is based on a body of research showing
that students follow a continuum of development to
learn the correct sequence of letters, characters and symbols in our writing system.
Students progress from the initial layer of learning how sounds are expressed through
letters, to the final layer of development in which students explore how many words carry
meaning within them through their prefixes, suffixes, and Greek and Latin roots.
Layers of language development:
The Alphabetic Layer – Students build their understanding of the relationship between
letters and sounds.
The Pattern Layer – Students build their understanding of the patterns that make up the
English language.
The Meaning Layer– Students build their knowledge of groups of letters that carry specific
meanings.
Beyond developing a solid understanding of spelling in the English language, we know that
vocabulary is essential to meet the challenges of academic reading and writing. Along with
students learning the patterns of words, our approach to word study focuses on meaning.
Students learn the meaning of words, word parts and how words are related as they
experience word study activities, like word sorts and games in word study notebooks.
How you can help your child with word study
In Edina Public Schools, we know that learning occurs both inside and outside the
classroom. As parents and guardians, your role in helping your child with his/her
classroom learning is a critical piece to his/her academic growth. To help you increase your
student’s vocabulary and knowledge about words, we offer the following suggestions:
1.) Read with your child! In the words of one literacy expert, “Books are where the
words are.”
a. Consider reading books that play with words and highlight multiple
meanings of words.
b. As you read with your child, explore new and interesting words in order to
highlight their meaning.
c. Countryside’s Media book suggestions:
https://sites.google.com/a/apps.edina.k12.mn.us/countryside-mediacenter/Home/students
2.) In the car, at meals, and during other conversations expand your child’s vocabulary
through discussing words that interest you/him/her and playing word games.
3.) Engage your child in using descriptive and intriguing words when writing notes,
emails, cards, or school work.
We look forward to an exciting year of exploring words with your child.
Sincerely,
Karen Bergman
Countryside Principal
karbergman@edina.k12.mn.us
952-848-4700
Mary Kirchhof
Literacy Coordinator
markirchhof@edina.k12.mn.us
952-848-4940