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Rating: 
Summary: A must have for new teachers
Review: As a first year title 1 reading teacher I was feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities and stressed out over where to begin. A coworker let me borrow this book one day and I ordered it that night. Finally I had a sense of where to start and what to do next! This book is full of ideas for teaching reading and writing in fun and creative ways. It is also a wonderful resource for deciphering where your students are in their learning and what they need next.
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Summary: Reviews from Language Arts & CA Reader:
Review: Dr. Bear and his co-authors describe the stages most children go through as they learn to read, and they provide specific teaching methods that help students move from where they are to the next level of accomplishment.Extensive research has indicated that a child's spelling is a window to his level of learning. This book provides diagnostic tests that only take a few minutes to give, but provide specific and valuable information about the child's level of literacy. I have required my college students in Tests & Measurements to purchase this book and to perform tests on children. Though the introductory chapters seem to be a "heavy read" to some, this book is clear, well-written, and practical. Teachers and curriculum supervisors would be well advised to understand the material set forth in this volume.
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Summary: Great Activities and Ideas
Review: I acquired this book on the recommendation of one of my professors. I had heard great things about the program's effectiveness with younger readers, but was not convinced I could adapt it to suit the needs of older students with reading difficulties. However, because my students dislike worksheets as much as I do, I am constantly searching for hands-on activities that developed word attack and spelling skills. Donald Bear et al provided me with numerous games and word sorts to use with my reading classes. It has also been possible to extend the curriculum to a higher level by creating additional word sorts that focus on the specific issue of high school readers/spellers. In my opinion, this book is an essential resource for every elementary teacher, language arts teacher, reading specialist, or tutor.
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Summary: Words Thier Way - Not a book for Homeschool
Review: I bought this book as part of my reading course for my credential, and have used ideas from this book every single day in my first grade class. As a new teacher, I have found this book to be essential to my daily plans. This book not only explains theory of different reading levels, but is full of activity ideas for varying levels. Many of these activities are easy to arrange and teach/monitor. This book has made it so easy for me to teach to students of varying reading levels I think that one of the best features of this book are the word lists at the back. These lists are great for designing word sorts and other activities. In the second edition, there are 28 pages of word lists, from basic vowel and word family sorts to homophones and affixes. Truly, this book has something for every reading level. I also appreciate the templates for board games that are in the back of the book. The bottom line: If you teach reading, this book is a must-have. This book isn't going to sit on your shelf and gather dust like so many do, but quickly becomes part of your daily planning.
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Summary: This is an excellent resource!
Review: I bought this book as part of my reading course for my credential, and have used ideas from this book every single day in my first grade class. As a new teacher, I have found this book to be essential to my daily plans. This book not only explains theory of different reading levels, but is full of activity ideas for varying levels. Many of these activities are easy to arrange and teach/monitor. This book has made it so easy for me to teach to students of varying reading levels I think that one of the best features of this book are the word lists at the back. These lists are great for designing word sorts and other activities. In the second edition, there are 28 pages of word lists, from basic vowel and word family sorts to homophones and affixes. Truly, this book has something for every reading level. I also appreciate the templates for board games that are in the back of the book. The bottom line: If you teach reading, this book is a must-have. This book isn't going to sit on your shelf and gather dust like so many do, but quickly becomes part of your daily planning.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Word Study Resource
Review: This book was assigned as part of my Master's in Reading program. It is well-written and easy to use. Ideas are plentiful. Sections include material which may be photocopied and used in the classroom or clinic setting. It helps inform teacher instruction and provides an excellent resource that honors the synchrony of reading, writing, listening and spelling. I use it and have seen results!
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Summary: Comprehesive and useful
Review: This is a good reference for educators to use when planning their word study lessons. I use the error guides to determine my skills-based spelling groups; this is very time saving and provides great insight into the individual child. I also use the McGuffy spelling assessment. Between the two, I have a great grasp on my students' word study skills. There are many great activities and games for all abilities. This is a good source for open and closed word sorts. Charts and game are very useful. Definitely teacher-friendly and well laid out.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehesive and useful
Review: This is a good reference for educators to use when planning their word study lessons. I use the error guides to determine my skills-based spelling groups; this is very time saving and provides great insight into the individual child. I also use the McGuffy spelling assessment. Between the two, I have a great grasp on my students' word study skills. There are many great activities and games for all abilities. This is a good source for open and closed word sorts. Charts and game are very useful. Definitely teacher-friendly and well laid out.
Rating:
Summary: Words Their Way
Review: While at the University of Nevada, Reno (where co-authors Donald Bear and Shane Templeton teach), I was required to have this book for my language arts method class. It is very practical, and teachers will enjoy the games and word sorts which help reinforce spelling, vocabulary, and phonics instruction. This book has a little bit of theory regarding the levels of reading literacy, but the majority of the book is devoted to word study activities. This is a book that belongs on every teacher's bookshelf, and it is a book teachers will refer to time and again. It is a book designed to be USED, not talked about.
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Summary: Practical and Indispensible
Review: While at the University of Nevada, Reno (where co-authors Donald Bear and Shane Templeton teach), I was required to have this book for my language arts method class. It is very practical, and teachers will enjoy the games and word sorts which help reinforce spelling, vocabulary, and phonics instruction. This book has a little bit of theory regarding the levels of reading literacy, but the majority of the book is devoted to word study activities. This is a book that belongs on every teacher's bookshelf, and it is a book teachers will refer to time and again. It is a book designed to be USED, not talked about.
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