Word Study Organization {DIY Envelopes}

If you’ve read my blog for very long, it’s no secret that the word study method is one of my favorite ways to teach kids to spell. I used as a classroom teacher, as a private reading tutor, and now as a homeschooling mama. As with any teaching method, organization is a must. Today, I’m sharing two word study organization tips that have worked well for me over the years.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Currently, NJoy {Kindergarten} is working through the picture and word sorts in Letter Name-Alphabet Spellers and ALuv {3rd grade} is working through the word sorts in the Within Word Pattern Spellers book. ALuv and I have already used some of the sorts from Syllables and Affixes to help him with his reading {like we did with our base words activity and our open and closed syllables}, but his spelling level is still at the Within Word Pattern level. You can read all about the word sorting supplement books from Words Their Way here.

Organization of Word/Picture Sorts

Keeping up with all those little pieces of paper from the word or picture sorts all week can be difficult for some kids. So, I’m going to share a trick I’ve used for years…a word study envelope.

Just this week, ALuv and NJoy decorated, cut out, and put together their own envelopes. I printed them on card stock to make them more durable. I brought down the markers, crayons, stamps, and stickers and let them decorate however they wanted. ALuv even spelled his name with stickers on the front of his.

The image above shows you the step-by-step process of how to fold and tape them once they have been decorated and cut out. Yes, you can totally buy envelopes from the store, but this is WAY “cooler”. 🙂 The FREE template download can be found at the end of this post.

Organization of Daily Routines

The word study method is hands-on and developmentally appropriate AND {HUGE BONUS} it runs itself once kids understand the routine. This means once you have introduced the sort on day 1, kids can do most of the activities with the sorts independently each day. {Can I hear a, “Hallelujah!”}

So, just what are kids supposed to do with their word sorts each day? Words Their Way has a lot to say about this and I address it in this post, too. To help boost my boys’ independence and organization during spelling time, I use a word study routine card {something I learned from one of the co-authors of Words Their Way years ago}.

The FREE pack {download at the end} contains activities appropriate routine cards for Letter Name-Alphabet Spellers, Within Word Pattern Spellers, Syllable/Affixes Spellers and Derivational Relations Spellers. Simply print the cards {I laminated ours so that they could be re-used each week} and as the child completes one of activities, he uses dry erase or Vis-a-Vis markers to check it off his card. The card fits right into the DIY envelope!

Is Word Study the ONLY thing we use for spelling instruction?

Absolutely not! Some days, we integrate All About Spelling into our learning. Some days, we use Making Words. Other days we roll and write words with our photo stacking blocks or spell with lacing letters or our new Magnetic Letter Construction Kit from Learning Resources {giveaway coming soon}. You can see many of the hands-on spelling tools we use HERE. And if I’m completely honest, there are some days that an old fashioned worksheet fits the bill. 🙂

More Spelling Helps:

Short Vowels Word Study App

Download the FREE Envelope Templates & Routine Cards HERE.

Enjoy teaching!
~Becky

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