Word Matters: Teaching Phonics and Spelling in the Reading/Writing Classroom

This work presents information on designing and implementing a high-quality, systematic literacy programme to help children learn about letters, sounds and words.

The central goal is to teach children to become "word solvers": readers who can take words apart while reading for meaning, and writers who can construct words while writing to communicate. "Word Matters" presents the theoretical underpinnings and practical wherewithall of word study in three contexts: word study that includes systematically planned and applied experiences focusing on the elements of letters and words; writing, including how children use phoneme-grapheme relationships, word patterns and principles to develop spelling ability; and reading, including teaching children how to solve words with the use of phonics and visual-analysis skills as they read for meaning.

Each topic is supported with a variety of practical tools: reproducible sheets for a word study system, and for writing workshop; lists of spelling mini-lessons; and extensive word lists, including frequently used words, antonyms, synonyms and more. These tools are designed to so that teachers can help students develop not just the "essential skils", but also a joyful appreciation of their own literacy.