Word Study This Week

Word study activities this week allowed students opportunities to analyze and sort short vowel, long vowel and vowel -r words. 2nd grade spellers explored and reviewed concepts that included: 

• Short vowel sounds are usually spelled with one vowel.
• Long vowel sounds are usually spelled with two vowels.
• A vowel followed by -r stands for a new sound (not long or short, but rather r-controlled vowels)

"Surprise words" are always part of word study discussions as there are many words in our language that do not sound the way they are spelled. Words like said and been have 2 vowels, but make a short vowel sounds. Students start to note more "surprise words" over time as they begin to have a better understanding of the spelling concepts noted above. To extend mini-lesson practice work, Versatile manipulatives offer students practice time to apply their understanding of these spelling concepts and can be used independently or with a partner.