Finally, here is the groundbreaking spelling book all teachers have been waiting for—a sensible, comprehensive, research-based approach to word study that includes exploration, strategies, classroom-based assessment, and fabulous teaching ideas—all based on learning how to determine each student’s level of spelling development and craft appropriate instruction. An exceptional resource!
—Regie Routman
In this delightful and incredibly informative little volume, Cindy Marten crafts for teachers and administrators the art of helping students learn how to “craft” words themselves. Few educators are able to explain and demonstrate this craft as well as Marten. She provides moment-to-moment classroom assessment and instructional vignettes grounded in a developmental model; significantly, she situates this crafting of words in the realities of school, district, state, and national mandates and politics. Her description of one district’s journey towards a meaningful and effective curriculum is insightful, encouraging, and instructive. Throughout, Cindy Marten’s voice is one with which dedicated and thoughtful teachers will resonate.
—Shane Templeton
At long last, a spelling and vocabulary book written by a classroom teacher who's a literacy specialist, too!
Cindy Marten responds to the demand for "direct, systematic, and explicit phonics and spelling instruction" that goes way beyond what to teach—she addresses the questions of how, when, and why spelling should be taught. More important, she situates spelling within the contexts of real writing and the individual learner's needs.
In Word Crafting, Marten offers an approach that is at once playful, intellectual, and artful, engaging students in inquiry and wonder about words. "Word crafting" is analogous to the ways fine woodworkers develop their skills—through collecting the right tools, item by item, until they have a toolbelt full of them. The same is true for teaching spelling and here Marten supplies the tools, each one carefully selected for her students. Dip into her book for tools to:
- assess and group students for effective instruction
- engage them from the start in smart word study
- help students learn high-frequency words, rules, patterns, and spelling demons
- align your teaching with school, district, state, and national mandates.
Use these tools to set up word-crafting contexts that connect the study of words to authentic reading and writing. Craft a word study program that turns your students into more than good spellers—they'll be fine word crafters.
International Reading Association Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Award