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?