Words Journeys are a differentiated and hands-on approach to our spellings and language studies.  Throughout the week, the students engage in different types of games, activities and sorts to learn new word spellings and patterns. To understand and practice the spelling patterns. Then recognize and use them in the correct context.  The benefit to this approach is that students are learning patterns instead of memorizing isolated words. So that in the future when they come across an unknown word. They can successfully decode and read the word by understanding its patterns.

• Regular Word Sort –  After cutting out all the words, they sort the word according to the spelling pattern categories.

• Speed Sort-  Using a stopwatch, students try to sort their words based on their spelling pattern as fast as they can.  They try to beat their time when they sort their words again.

• Blind Sort- With a partner, students write the spelling pattern categories at the top of a white board.  Without the partner seeing the words, one person reads one of the spelling word cards. The partner tries to correctly spell and write the word in the correct category. It is similar to a practice test, except students are writing them into spelling pattern categories.

• Matching Game- Their spelling cards can also become a matching game.  A match is made if two words have the same spelling pattern.
• ​Scavenger Hunt- Students spend time reading while on the lookout for words in their books that have the same spelling patterns as the ones on their spelling list. Making a note and recording them.

On Fridays we have our spelling test on the words we have been practicing all week. Students then peer review each others work. Checking, marking and correcting. The following week students then get a new sort and new words that either follow a similar spelling pattern and build on what has been learnt or words that introduce a new spelling pattern completely.