WORD SORTS By Chaitra Jewell and Ryan Adams

WHAT ARE WORD SORTS? Word study activities where students group words into

certain categories

Two different types: open word sorts, closed word sorts:

Open word sorts: Students determine the categories themselves depending

on the words they are given Closed word sorts:

Teacher presents the categories students can sort the words into

Information retrieved from: Tompkins, G. (2010). Literacy for the 21st century: A balanced approach. Boston, MA. Pearson, Inc.

HOW CAN THEY BE USED IN THE CLASSROOM?

Helping students sort rhyming words Deciphering between sound-symbol relationships

(ex. long i sound in cry and the long e sound in baby)

Distinguishing between suffixes and prefixes Counting the amount of syllables in various words Helping students classify nouns, verbs, adjectives,

etc. Teaching spelling words and vocabulary words

Information retrieved from: Tompkins, G. (2010). Literacy for the 21st century: A balanced approach. Boston, MA. Pearson, Inc.

WHY ARE WORD SORTS EFFECTIVE/IMPORTANT?

Help students identify repeated patterns that appear in words

Help students learn classifications between different types of words

Students can visually see how words are similar/different depending on their categories

MODELING

Observe as Mr. Adams (the teacher) and Chaitra (the student utilize a word sorting activity in “the classroom”

GROUP WORK!

Have students number off using 1-4 All 1’s will report to the large table near the door All 2’s will report to the desks by the window All 3’s will report to the desks near the back of

the room All 4’s will report to the desks near the front of

the room Hand out worksheets (every student gets one) Have students work as a large group to

determine the appropriate categories for all 28 words

Interactive Word Sorting Website

QUESTIONS ANYONE?

How are word sorts related to phonics?

What are some different ways that you think you could use word sorts in your classroom someday?

What is your overall opinion of using word

sorts in the classroom?