Synopses & Reviews
Finally, here is the groundbreaking spelling book all teachers have been waiting for - a sensible, comprehensive, research-based approach to word study that includes exploration, strategies, classroom-based assessment, and fabulous teaching ideas - all based on learning how to determine each students level of spelling development and craft appropriate instruction. An exceptional resource!
- Regie Routman
In this delightful and incredibly informative little volume, Cindy Marten crafts for teachers and administrators the art of helping students learn how to craft words themselves. Few educators are able to explain and demonstrate this craft as well as Marten. She provides moment-to-moment classroom assessment and instructional vignettes grounded in a developmental model; significantly, she situates this crafting of words in the realities of school, district, state, and national mandates and politics. Her description of one districts journey towards a meaningful and effective curriculum is insightful, encouraging, and instructive. Throughout, Cindy Martens voice is one with which dedicated and thoughtful teachers will resonate.
- Shane Templeton
At long last, a spelling and vocabulary book written by a classroom teacher who's a literacy specialist, too! Cindy Marten responds to the demand for "direct, systematic, and explicit phonics and spelling instruction" that goes way beyond what to teach - she addresses the questions of how, when, and why spelling should be taught. More important, she situates spelling within the contexts of real writing and the individual learner's needs.
In Word Crafting, Marten offers an approach that is at once playful, intellectual, and artful, engaging students in inquiry and wonder about words. "Word crafting" is analogous to the ways fine woodworkers develop their skills - through collecting the right tools, item by item, until they have a toolbelt full of them. The same is true for teaching spelling and here Marten supplies the tools, each one carefully selected for her students. Dip into her book for tools to:
- assess and group students for effective instruction
- engage them from the start in smart word study
- help students learn high-frequency words, rules, patterns, and spelling demons
- align your teaching with school, district, state, and national mandates.
Use these tools to set up word-crafting contexts that connect the study of words to authentic reading and writing. Craft a word study program that turns your students into more than good spellers - they'll be fine word crafters.
Review
In this delightful and incredibly informative little volume, Cindy Marten crafts for teachers and administrators the art of helping students learn how to craft words themselves. Few educators are able to explain and demonstrate this craft as well as Marten. She provides moment-to-moment classroom assessment and instructional vignettes grounded in a developmental model; significantly, she situates this crafting of words in the realities of school, district, state, and national mandates and politics. Her description of one districts journey towards a meaningful and effective curriculum is insightful, encouraging, and instructive. Throughout, Cindy Martens voice is one with which dedicated and thoughtful teachers will resonate.Shane Templeton
Review
Finally, here is the groundbreaking spelling book all teachers have been waiting for - a sensible, comprehensive, research-based approach to word study that includes exploration, strategies, classroom-based assessment, and fabulous teaching ideas - all based on learning how to determine each students level of spelling development and craft appropriate instruction. An exceptional resource!Regie Routman
Synopsis
Use these tools to set up word-crafting contexts that connect the study of words to authentic reading and writing. Craft a word study program that turns your students into more than good spellers-they'll be fine word crafters.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-158) and index.
Synopsis
At long last, a spelling and vocabulary book written by a classroom teacher who's a literacy specialist, too! Cindy Marten responds to the demand for "direct, systematic, and explicit phonics and spelling instruction" that goes way beyond what to teach - she addresses the questions of how, when, and why spelling should be taught. More important, she situates spelling within the contexts of real writing and the individual learner's needs.
In Word Crafting, Marten offers an approach that is at once playful, intellectual, and artful, engaging students in inquiry and wonder about words. "Word crafting" is analogous to the ways fine woodworkers develop their skills - through collecting the right tools, item by item, until they have a toolbelt full of them. The same is true for teaching spelling and here Marten supplies the tools, each one carefully selected for her students. Dip into her book for tools to:
- assess and group students for effective instruction
- engage them from the start in smart word study
- help students learn high-frequency words, rules, patterns, and spelling demons
- align your teaching with school, district, state, and national mandates.
Use these tools to set up word-crafting contexts that connect the study of words to authentic reading and writing. Craft a word study program that turns your students into more than good spellers - they'll be fine word crafters.
About the Author
Cindy Marten has used her reflective approach to teaching and learning as a classroom teacher, a literacy specialist, and as a school principal. She is deeply committed to creating conditions and opportunities, both in and out of school, for all children to become actively literate members of a democratic society. Her passion for her work led her to serve as president of the San Diego Council of Literacy Professionals. The International Reading Association honored her with the first Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Award. After serving as a teacher and administrator for more than 25 years, including six years as principal at Central Elementary, Cindy was named Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District in 2013.
Table of Contents
Why Spelling Matters Teaching Spelling as a Craft It's All About Assessment Essential Classroom Practices Know Your Spelling Tools: Consumer Beware Appendixes: Spelling Pilot Adoption-Evaluation of Publisher Materials Innovation Configuration Rubric for Effective Spelling Instruction Case Study Exercise for Innovation Configurations for Effective Spelling Instruction Teacher References and Resources for Effective Word Study Student Word-Study Journals Developmental Phases of Spelling High-Frequency Words/"No Excuses" Words Frequently Misspelled Words Teaching "No Excuses" and Frequently Misspelled Words "No Excuses" Words: First Grade, Second Grade, Third Through Fifth Grades Games and Activities Web Page: www.spellingtools.com Spelling Inventories Ideas for Parents and Caregivers English Is a Difficult Language! Children's Literature to Support Word Study