Word Work
Each week our class studies a list of words with similar patterns or "rules". One activity within the Daily5 is
Working on Words. During Working on Words, students are able to choose from a number of activities to
practice spelling some or all of the week's words. Word Work activities are stored in plastic drawers. I usually
store things in plastic bags, but they crinkle too much when we're trying to keep noise down. I'm not sure
what it is with 5th graders and playing with plastic bags so they make the most noise possible. When a
student chooses Word Work, they simply take a drawer to their seat, and replace it when they are finished.
Here is an example of how I set up these drawers:
Working on Words. During Working on Words, students are able to choose from a number of activities to
practice spelling some or all of the week's words. Word Work activities are stored in plastic drawers. I usually
store things in plastic bags, but they crinkle too much when we're trying to keep noise down. I'm not sure
what it is with 5th graders and playing with plastic bags so they make the most noise possible. When a
student chooses Word Work, they simply take a drawer to their seat, and replace it when they are finished.
Here is an example of how I set up these drawers:
1. Play Doh words (could also be used with Wikki Sticks). Students form the three most difficult words on our
weekly word list. When finished, they use the classroom digital camera to take a picture of their work.
2. Rainbow words. Students write the list of weekly words using skinny markers in red, orange yellow, green,
blue, and purple. They alternate one letter per color.
3. Letter stampers. Students spell out our weekly words using word stampers and ink pads.
4. Making Words. Students take an envelope with letter cards inside of them. They try to spell one large
word using all of the letters. While they are spelling the large word, they also write down smaller words.
5. Bottle Caps. Students spell out the largest word on the list, using bottle caps that have individual letters
on them. Once they spell out the longest word, they use those letters and move them around to spell
smaller words inside. They write down these smaller words on paper.
6. Letter cards/pocket charts. Students use letter cards (compliments of Ms. Meacham) to spell out the
words they find tricky -- based off of our weekly words. They use small pocket charts to write the words in.
When finished, they use the classroom digital camera to take a picture of the finished product.
weekly word list. When finished, they use the classroom digital camera to take a picture of their work.
2. Rainbow words. Students write the list of weekly words using skinny markers in red, orange yellow, green,
blue, and purple. They alternate one letter per color.
3. Letter stampers. Students spell out our weekly words using word stampers and ink pads.
4. Making Words. Students take an envelope with letter cards inside of them. They try to spell one large
word using all of the letters. While they are spelling the large word, they also write down smaller words.
5. Bottle Caps. Students spell out the largest word on the list, using bottle caps that have individual letters
on them. Once they spell out the longest word, they use those letters and move them around to spell
smaller words inside. They write down these smaller words on paper.
6. Letter cards/pocket charts. Students use letter cards (compliments of Ms. Meacham) to spell out the
words they find tricky -- based off of our weekly words. They use small pocket charts to write the words in.
When finished, they use the classroom digital camera to take a picture of the finished product.
I buy matching
plastic drawers
from a larger
retailer. There
are many
versions, but I
like mine to
match, so I buy
them at the
same place.
plastic drawers
from a larger
retailer. There
are many
versions, but I
like mine to
match, so I buy
them at the
same place.
I write out detailed
instructions on how
to use the word
work activity. Then,
I laminate the
directions for
durability.
I make three cards,
since I like to have
three sets of each
activity.
instructions on how
to use the word
work activity. Then,
I laminate the
directions for
durability.
I make three cards,
since I like to have
three sets of each
activity.
Next, I use a hot glue gun and glue the
directions sheet to the bottom of each
drawer.
directions sheet to the bottom of each
drawer.
I prepare the activity that will go in
each drawer. In this case, I have
collected water bottle caps and written
alphabet letters on them. I store them
inside a craft organizer, where they are
labeled by letter.
each drawer. In this case, I have
collected water bottle caps and written
alphabet letters on them. I store them
inside a craft organizer, where they are
labeled by letter.
I place the activity items inside the
drawer. I have other activities in
drawers as well. Some include a
container of Play-Doh, and another
drawer has skinny markers. What
goes in the drawer depends on the
activity.
drawer. I have other activities in
drawers as well. Some include a
container of Play-Doh, and another
drawer has skinny markers. What
goes in the drawer depends on the
activity.
Each drawer is
labeled with the
activity title and a
subheading that
reads "set 1", "set
2" or "set 3". I
tape this label to
the front to
prevent the
summer heat from
removing the label
from the drawer.
labeled with the
activity title and a
subheading that
reads "set 1", "set
2" or "set 3". I
tape this label to
the front to
prevent the
summer heat from
removing the label
from the drawer.
Here is a finished Word Work
activity. Each drawer has its
own items. My students go to
the set of drawers and pull
out the activity of their choice.
Then they bring the drawer
to their seat, and when they
are finished, they put the
drawer right back where they
got it from.
activity. Each drawer has its
own items. My students go to
the set of drawers and pull
out the activity of their choice.
Then they bring the drawer
to their seat, and when they
are finished, they put the
drawer right back where they
got it from.
Here are some examples of word work activities:
Our Word Work area....