Wonderful Word Work

Gold Nugget for the day: "I'll never learn how to spell. the teacher keeps changing the words." (Henny Youngman)
It is no surprise that spelling is a challenge for many kids.  Our first graders will begin our Word Work this week. I love the suggestions that the Two Sisters of  "Daily Five" fame give us.  I have found that giving my firsties two or three word chunks from which to develop their own list helps with differentiation in this area. We will start with chunks an, at, ap.    Each kiddo will have a Word Work Notebook in which to experiment and have fun with letters, sounds, chunks, words, etc.  They will have letter stamps, play-do, wikki sticks, markers, magazines, and other manipulative type supplies to practice.  Below you will find a poem I wrote to include in the front of the notebook.  

Word Work Song

(I’ve Been Workin on the Railroad)

I’ve been workin’ on my Word Work

All the afternoon long.

I’ve been workin’ on my Word Work

Just to make my writing strong.

Can’t you see me getting better

At spelling my words right?

Learning chunks and families

Word Work is dynamite!

                                         N.Van J