Word Wizards: Students Making Words

Overview
This lesson uses an active, hands-on activity in which students learn how to look for patterns in words and how to make new words by adding or changing the sequence of letters. Authentic literature provides an excellent framework for teaching decoding and spelling. Four popular children’s books, Corduroy, Franklin in the Dark, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Chrysanthemum, are used as the basis for an online activity where students have the opportunity to apply this strategy and make words.

From theory to practice
Aiken, A.G., & Bayer, L. (2002). They love words. The Reading Teacher, 56, 68–74. In “Making Words,” an innovative word study activity introduced by Patricia Cunningham (1991), students are guided through the process of manipulating a set of letters in sequence to construct words. This instructional strategy is actively engaging and meaningful for students because when students notice patterns and make discoveries about written language they can apply them to other reading and writing situations. When words are connected to a story or current classroom lesson, students are able to have greater success with phonics lessons. Cunningham, P.M. (1991). Phonics they use: Words for reading and writing. New York: HarperCollins.

by Rebecca L. Olness, Black Diamond, Washington.