What do word sorts do

At many of my Reading Horizons trainings, teachers ask me how they can get their students to identify how one skill or concept is different from another during structured literacy instruction.

My answer is usually the same. Word sorts! Sorting makes it easier to see the similarities and differences of words. Even before being able to read, students can begin sorting. They can sort pictures by beginning sounds, ending sounds, vowel sounds, number of syllables, etc. Students can sort words they already know how to read in order to increase their understanding of how the English language works and they can learn how to analyze words that they have never encountered before.

Joseph, L. Reading Research and Instruction , 39 2 , Hannah Braun is a former teacher with 8 years of experience in the classroom and a master's degree in early childhood education. She designs engaging, organized classroom resources for 1st-3rd grade teachers. Skip to content. Printable word sorts. Word Sorts for Google Classroom. Word sorts for Seesaw. Categories: Spelling , Teaching Writing August 7, Tags: literacy literacy centers spelling word work.

Loading Comments Email Required Name Required Website. For increased multisensory learning, teachers can have students cut apart the words as part of the sorting. Design it in Your Product Watch two clips, one starting at and the other at , to see how Lexia Reading Core5 integrates word sorts to build Alphabet Knowledge and Sight Recognition.

Product developers can create different types of word sorts that leverage additional interactive features, such as visuals, text-to-speech, drag and drop capabilities, changing colors, and timers. View References. Resources Below are additional examples, research, and professional development.

These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements. Let's Talk Word Sorts Ways to address common problems that can arise using word sorts. Sorting Games Free online games for sorting words and images. Words Their Way Video about integrating open sorts in classroom as a routine. Factors Supported by this Strategy. Student Background. Adverse Experiences. Home Literacy Environment. Physical Fitness.

Primary Language. Socioeconomic Status. Social and Emotional Learning. Long-term Memory. Short-term Memory. Speed of Processing. Working Memory. Language and Literacy. Alphabet Knowledge. Morphological Awareness. Phonological Awareness. Sight Recognition. Sorts provide a multi-sensory experience as students read, sort, manipulate, and categorize in multiple ways. Sorts allow students to look at words, concepts, and ideas from their various levels of knowledge.

Students are able to apply what they know in an organized and fun format. Students are empowered to make their own decisions about categories based on their prior knowledge.

Implementation 1. Students separate, categorize, or match them depending on the criteria you give. Have students work in pairs or individually.