Words Their Way

Parent Guides Teaching Upstairs

Sort #31 Parent/Student Directions This week, your child is studying diphthongs (oi, oy), which are neither long or

short but compares these to the long o sound Cut out the word cards and categories. Have your child say the words aloud. If your child does not know the meanings of

certain words, please discuss the words. The category headings should be placed at the top of each column. Ask your child to sort the words into categories. Ask Why did you sort the word

cards the way you did? (They should be sorted by sound -long O and diphthong). Talk about the patterns under long 0 but do not sort them further. Then ask your child to identify the spelling patterns in the other column and separate the words under the key words point & boy.

The words noise, choice and voice could be with the oi words or oddballs due to the final e.

These diphthongs (oi & oy) are spelled with a reliable letter-sound correspondence Have your child mix-up the cards and sort them again as quickly as possible. Place these materials in a plastic bag and put them in a safe place. These will be

needed for all spelling assignments this week. Spelling Word Work Through The Week (One should be done each night) SORT the words into the same categories you did in school and record them in a

notebook or piece of paper. Do a BLIND SORT with your child.

o First, write out the headings for the sort on a piece of paper. o Then, mix-up the words. Say the word without showing the card to your

child. o Have your child choose the right category by pointing to the heading that

shares the same spelling pattern. o Ask your child What characteristic do the two words share?

--The word has an oi as in point. --The word has an oy as in boy.

WORD HUNT using words or pictures found around the house record words that

have the same pattern as your word sort for the week in your notebook or on a piece of paper. (These words may be part of your spelling test).

REVIEW THE WORDS with your child so they are ready for the test. The test will contain sort words and new words that follow the spelling patterns studied all week.

SPELLING o Do a writing sort on the back of this assignment sheet. o Say your childs words in a random order and have your child write them in the

correct category. o If your child misspells a word or places it in the wrong category, continue to

repeat it until it is spelled or placed correctly. ** Save this sort for a review of #31 - #35 before the spelling check as a giant pattern sort or a two-step sort that sorts first by sound and then by pattern within categories of sound.