Synopses & Reviews
Review
"
Word Journeys brings together phonics and spelling--a blessing for teachers who are trying to juggle a mismatched collection of lessons and objectives. The program is grounded in a thorough analysis of English orthography, and provides the teacher with professional guidance for deciding what is important and what is not. The assessment techniques are practical within the time limits of the regular classroom, and should also be helpful to reading specialists for diagnosis." --Robert Calfee, PhD, Professor and Dean, School of Education, University of California, Riverside
"Implementing a quality word study program is a major goal for our K-12 English program. Our school system has used Kathy Ganske's Developmental Spelling Analysis for many years. Now that the assessment, word lists, and activities are combined in one book, it will be much easier for teachers to use. Word Journeys is just what we have been looking for." --Sarah Scott, MA, Director of English Instruction, Rockingham School District, Harrisonburg, VA "Word Journeys has opened a new world of information for me and for my preservice and inservice students. The integration of reading and spelling finally has fallen into place! Ganske's book is required reading in our reading methods courses and our master's-level reading clinic field experience. I have found that teachers' understanding of their students' needs has been greatly enhanced by the use of Ganske's Developmental Spelling Analysis and the associated word sorts and activities."--Geri Mohler, EdD, Graduate Literacy Program Coordinator, School of Education, California State University-Bakersfield "Ganske has become my guide in moving from a traditional memorization approach to spelling instruction toward a more complete practice of teaching how words work. Word Journeys takes the serious literacy teacher on a tour of word patterns, features, and meanings within each of the stages children pass through as they become better spellers and users of the English language, and provides wonderful activities for use at each stage. I have had great success with this book!"--Linda Klausmeyer Thiel, second-grade teacher, Mead Elementary School, St. Vrain Valley School District, Colorado
Review
"
Word Journeys is a revelation. It shows that word study and spelling are complex cognitive acts that require intentional instruction, student interaction, and talk. Once and for all, Ganske has ensured that no teacher will ever need to teach spelling the way so many of us were instructed as children, with a reliance on rote memorization at the expense of meaning. The rich materials in this book properly situate spelling and word study at the heart of meaningful language arts instruction."--Nancy Frey, PhD, School of Teacher Education, San Diego State University
"Ganske delves into the importance of meaningful experiences with words for expanding children's vocabulary and enhancing their understanding of the relationships between words. She shares practical ways to employ word study in the classroom and connect it to authentic reading and writing."--Angela Stewart, MEd, K-5 literacy staff developer, Richmond, Virginia
"When it comes to good pedagogy about how to engage kids productively in the often unpredictable system of American spelling, there is nothing to match the combination of theoretical and practical 'centeredness' that I find in Word Journeys. I have been a fan of this work from the outset, and it has just gotten better with the second edition."--P. David Pearson, PhD, Graduate School of Education, University of California, Berkeley
"Word Journeys, Second Edition, helps teachers implement a high-quality, rigorous curriculum that embodies the kind of integrated teaching of spelling, vocabulary, word recognition, phonics, and phonemic awareness described in the Common Core State Standards. Ganske includes extensive insights into how to group students flexibly and differentiate instruction for diverse student needs. I have used and recommended this book extensively, with good reason--it is research based, comprehensive, and, most important, it works!"--Jeffery L. Williams, MEd, K-12 literacy coach and Reading Recovery teacher leader, Solon (Ohio) City Schools
"This book incorporates the latest research on word knowledge into a conceptual framework for preservice and inservice teachers. Educators will find this book a useful, well-crafted tool--its organization is clear and easy to follow, and it is filled with information to guide the implementation of a word study program. Leading teachers through targeted planning and small-group instruction, Ganske takes the mystery out of how to teach words well."--Catherine A. Rosemary, PhD, Department of Education and Allied Studies, John Carroll University
Synopsis
This book presents a highly practical approach to assessing children's spelling and word knowledge abilities and offering effective, appropriate instruction. Included is the Developmental Spelling Analysis (DSA), a dictated word inventory that enables teachers to quickly and easily evaluate students' stages of spelling development and their knowledge of important orthographic features. Detailed guidelines are set forth for engaging students in hands-on word study that is tailored to their specific strengths and weaknesses. Validated and field-tested, the instructional techniques described here reflect the author's many years of classroom experience. Particularly useful features of the book include narrative "snapshots" of children at different stages of spelling development; numerous examples of student work; suggested word sort activities for each orthographic feature; lists of recommended books and poems; and a focus on fostering a love of words through word play and language appreciation. Provided in the appendices are reproducible forms for administering the DSA, plus a list of over 12,000 words arranged by sound, pattern, and meaning-related features.
Synopsis
This trusted teacher resource and course text provides a comprehensive approach to assessing and building children's word knowledge (grades K-8). Kathy Ganske shows how carefully planned word study can improve students' reading and writing skills while fostering their appreciation of language. Complete instructions are provided for implementing the Developmental Spelling Analysis (DSA), an easy-to-use assessment tool, and for tailoring instruction to learners' strengths and weaknesses. Numerous word lists, student work samples, and "Literature Links" are included, along with 27 reproducible forms. The large-size format facilitates photocopying. Purchasers also get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials.
New to This Edition:
*Addresses the Common Core State Standards.
*Incorporates additional activities and technology tips, plus updated research findings.
*Chapter explaining the meaning of word study and its role in literacy instruction, including "Researcher Voices" perspectives from noted experts.
*Ideas for making the most of small-group instructional time.
*Expanded "Literature Links" book lists, now including informational texts.
*DSA answer sheets have been enhanced for easier scoring and several new reproducibles added.
See also the companion volumes from Ganske, Word Sorts and More: Sound, Pattern, and Meaning Explorations K-3 and Mindful of Words: Spelling and Vocabulary Explorations 4-8, which provide a wealth of ready-to-use word study activities.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 333-336) and index.
About the Author
Kathy Ganske, PhD, is Professor of the Practice of Literacy and Director of Graduate Elementary Education at Vanderbilt University. She has been involved in using, refining, and teaching about word study practices for over 25 years. Her work is grounded in extensive teaching experience in elementary classrooms. Dr. Ganskes current research interests include discussion during small-group word study instruction, literacy reform in challenging schools, and literacy teacher preparation. She is the author or coauthor of several books, including Word Journeys, Word Sorts and More and Mindful of Words, as well as numerous articles and book chapters.
Table of Contents
I. Understanding Word Study Contexts
1. Word Study: Reading, Writing, and Language Connections
II. Understanding Children's Word Knowledge
2. A Developmental Perspective
3. Assessing Word Knowledge: The Developmental Spelling Analysis
III. Fostering Children's Word Knowledge
4. Planning Appropriate and Engaging Instruction
5. Letter Name Word Study
6. Within Word Pattern Word Study
7. Syllable Juncture Word Study
8. Derivational Constancy Word Study
9. Questions and Answers
Appendix 1. Supplemental Word Lists
Appendix 2. Reproducible Forms
Resources
Glossary