Word Study Notebooks
Weekly activities to include in notebook:
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Written closed word sort
Written open word sort
Timed speed sorts
Rhyming word creations
Draw and label
Written meaningful sentences
Words from word hunts
Dictionary dig
Syllabic chunks
Morph-O-Meter chunks
Concept or Word maps
Extend a word
Word Tree
Synonym Word Chart
Blind Sort
Jeopardy Game
Spelling City Practice Tests
Spelling City activities
I am the Teacher
You are expected to:
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Use correct spelling of the assigned words
Use complete sentences
Use your best handwriting
Make good use of word study time
You will be evaluated in this manner:
+

R
Excellent work
Good work
Fair work but could be improved
You need to redo this assignment
1) Write a closed word sort: Write the words in the same categories as we did in class (closed sort). Use the key words as
headers for each column. Remember to read each word and write a summarized explanation for the categories: Declare,
Compare, and Contrast. These word sorts will generally be classified by one of the following:
a) speech sounds
b) spelling patterns
c) meaning.
2) Write an open Word Sort(s): Create an open sort by looking for your own categories. Write the word sort and a
summarized explanation for the categories: Declare, Compare, and Contrast. These word sorts can include classification
based on:
a) speech sound
b) spelling pattern
c) meaning d) parts of speech
e) subject
f) concept
g) morphemes
3) Speed Sorts: Go for speed. Sort your words three times and record your times. Partner Speed Sorts—one student
keeps time; the other does 2 sorts. Sort 1 is to establish a baseline time, and a second time is to try and beat it (you are only
trying to beat your own time—not your partner’s time).
4) Change a letter (or letters) to make new rhyming words: Substitute initial letters(s) or orthographic units to create lists
of words that rhyme. Create a category and write the new words. For example, start with black and substitute other blends or
digraphs to make quack, track, shack, and so on.
5) Draw and label: Illustrate the words with simple drawings that reveal their meanings. Include several illustrations if the
word has multiple meanings.
6) Select at least 5 words to use in meaningful sentences: Write the word in a meaningful sentence. This means you
could remove the word and the reader should still be able to figure out the word by the clues you provided in the sentence.
See the anchor chart for “Ways Authors Define Words in Texts.”
7) Record words from word hunts: Hunt through books or texts you read and your own writings to find additional word
examples of the sound, pattern, or meaning unit you are studying.
8) Dictionary dig: Select five words to look up in the dictionary. Record the multiple meanings you find for each word and
the parts of speech.
9) Syllabic chunks: Use a large DOT to break your words into syllable chunks and underline the accented syllables.
10) Morph-O-Meter chunks: Create a morph-o-meter. Break words into morphs by using a large DASH between the
chunks. To examine a word for meaningful parts first take off the prefixes, then suffixes, and look at the base word or root to
see if you know its meaning or think of a related word with the same base.
11) Concept or Word maps: Focus on one word and create a visual map of concepts and categories to create mental
pictures of the meaning of that word. What is it? What is it like? What are some examples? What are some non examples?
12) Extend a word: Make new words by adding additional prefixes, suffixes, or roots.
13) Word Tree: Write a base word or root at the bottom of a tree and think of as many forms as possible. Write the different
forms on individual branches.
14) Synonym Word Chart: Make a t-chart with word on one side; synonym on other.
15) Blind Sort: Lay down the headings & key words. Partner one calls a word. Partner 2 repeats the word, points to the
category, and declares the category (says it aloud).
16) Create Jeopardy Game: Write clues in the form of an answer for the words in one of your categories.
17) Spelling City Practice Test: Practice and print.
18) Spelling City Activities: Print and turn in if applicable—or date and write activities completed.
19) I am the Teacher: Plan to teach an assigned number of words to your group. Be creative. Write definitions, synonyms,
and parts of speech for each assigned word in your notebook.