Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction, 4th Edition (Book, CD & DVD)

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.


Practical and Indispensible   July 21, 2000
Susan Nunes (Reno, NV United States)
54 out of 56 found this review helpful

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.


Very useful for homeschoolers too...   October 29, 2007
Learning All The Time (USA)
36 out of 36 found this review helpful

My children attended a public school where this program was used. When I brought them home due to their various LDs/allergies, I balked at the $40 price tag of this book and opted for the less expensive Spectrum Spelling books for their grade level. I found those to be rather annoying because often my children already knew the words. And the ones they didn't know, they would spell correctly on the tests, but they didn't necessarily continue to spell the words correctly in their writing. Mid-way through the year I abandoned the Spectrum books and purchased this one.

My favorite thing about this approach is how the kids really think about and interact with the words. It is a disciplined program, I require my kids to do a word sort and an activity in their spelling journals every day -- their choice. However, this typically takes less than 10 minutes a day.

The other thing I do is pretest the kids every week to find out which words they need to study. If they already know a spelling pattern, then I don't give it to them and move on to the next one. Sometimes I pull misspelled words out of their writing, and then find the pattern that applies and give them those words for the week.

I will say, that for most homeschoolers, this book is pretty heavy on the theory, and the "how-to" is mixed up with the theory so it may take more work up front to start the program if you are unfamiliar with the idea of spelling notebooks and word activities. But it is quite fascinating, and will give you a new appreciation for a young child's emerging spelling skills, as well as concrete strategies for helping older students with more complex words.

As for content, the book covers spelling from pre-K through at least middle school, perhaps early high school.

And the CD-Rom is a real time-saver too, with its words for sorts and activities.

All in all, quite effective, very interesting, and a great value - you buy this once and then purchase simple notebooks or composition books for their spelling journals, and you are set for years to come.




Excellent Word Study Resource   January 3, 2000
Kathi Bakin (Arlington, Virginia)
35 out of 35 found this review helpful

This book was assigned as part of my Master's in Reading program. It is well-written and easy to use. Ideas are plentiful. Sections include material which may be photocopied and used in the classroom or clinic setting. It helps inform teacher instruction and provides an excellent resource that honors the synchrony of reading, writing, listening and spelling. I use it and have seen results!