Word Study... Revised!

                                 

Change can be good! 

1) Make all three differentiated lists have the same spelling pattern. 
2) Update the word study homework activity sheet. 
3) Put all 93 lists (31 lists for A, B and C) on spellingcity.com. 
4) Find activities to match each spelling pattern.  Add these activities to ikeepbookmarks.com and our team's Google Drive word study folder.
5) Select 4 vocabulary words from each spelling list so the program is more integrated. 

Word study words were selected from Hope King's Second Grade Word Work product.  I made three lists out of her two.  One big selling point for King's product is that she was inspired by Beth Newingham's word study tutorial.  They both recommend calling out pattern words that students do not study at home.  Like Words Their Way, we will be doing weekly word sorts.  Word Work will continue to be a literacy station center.  Big change:  (most days) Students will choose between two activities instead of always having free choice.  Everyone can understand that students have a favorite, but they should use other activities besides Play Doh :).  

Organization idea - Number each word study list.  When I find matching activities, I put the spelling list number before the link's or document's name.  This should make weekly planning much easier!

Online links - Looking for online word study activities?  I've started finding online activities for each list.  Here's what I have found so far: ikeepbookmarks.com link.  Students will be able to use these links at school and at home. 

                             
Updated Homework Activity Sheet (editable document link)


Old posts that have links to a few resources mentioned below:  spelling/word study resources

Word Study Centers  (editable document link)

1.     Dry erase boards (3x each, sentences, bubble letters, dotty letters, spelling stairs)

2.    Cubes

3.    Magnets

4.    Dictionary

5.    Stamps

6.    Stencils

7.    Coin Code

8.    Sign Language

9.    Pipe Cleaners

10.        Scent Markers

11.    Letter Beads

12.        Spelling Story

13.        Word Sort

14.        Type words

15.        Draw pictures, label

16.        Word Work Roll and Create sheet

17.        Rainbow Roll-n-Write sheet

18.        Play Doh

Three STEM Challenges

Here's three of my favorite STEM challenges!  They are all simple, fun and inexpensive.  It really gives students the chance to show teamwork.  If you're familiar with Habits of Mind, it gives you a great opportunity to talk about working interdependently. 

A few notes:  Give students time to decide on a plan before letting them begin the challenge.  Talk about having a plan B.  Sometimes I select the groups, other times I let students pick their partners.  I think they need to experience both ways.   

Challenge 1:  Paper Chain  (groups of 1-3 students)
I prefer to let my students work in groups of two for this challenge.  Each group needs one sheet of construction paper, scissors and a glue stick.  You determine the amount of time.  The longest chain wins the challenge! 
More information from the Math Chick: The Great Chain Race

Challenge 2:  Spaghetti Tower  (groups of 3 students)

Students need a handful of marshmallows and spaghetti noodles.  I do not count these out!  This challenge was more difficult than my students expected.

More information from All About 3rd Grade:  Spaghetti Tower

Challenge 3:  Coffee Filter Chromatography (groups of 4-5 students)

Important tip:  Make sure you try a black Mr. Sketch Scented Marker. This marker had very different results than Crayola and Expo.  (see picture) 

Students simply make a line with a black marker near the bottom of a coffee filter.  Put the filter in a cup of water.  (about 1/2 inch)  

More information: Coffee Filter Chromatography

 

These activities are great any time of the year, but the end of year is when I usually let students do the most challenges.  My students made sure they included details about STEM in their letters to future second graders.  It made me realize how much they enjoyed these activities.

Short video about being an engineer: NASA for Kids: Intro to Engineering