Field+Work





Testing Children for Levels with Words Their Way

1. Find the right test--Primary, Elementary, or Upper. 2. Give the test to the children following the script provided (say word, put word in sentence given, repeat word.) 3. Stop the test when the child has missed five words. 4. If the child does not miss five words on the test, go to the next one up.

Remember--you are assessing their level, so don't help them spell it right. Just tell them to do the best job they can using their (whatever grade they're in) spelling skills.

To level the tests, use the Words Their Way Primary Spelling Feature Guide for ONE child (Example: p. 267.P

1. Find the word on the test in the farthest left column on the grid under Spelling Stages. 2. Check the first letters of the words listed under the stage (For example, in Emergent on p. 267, the first letters are f,p,d,r,h,w, and g.) 3. Count each correct first letter and put the number over 7 in the totals column. 4. Move to the next letters and do the same thing.

Notice as the stages move up, you'll move father down the chart. For instance, in the Emergent column, you use only the first 7 words to fill in data for the totals column, then staring with short vowels, you will look at only 7 of the 25 words to get data, etc.) When you're done filling out a page ON EACH CHILD, you should clearly be able to see the child's level and even what feature to start with. Use the stages at the top of the chart to help you decide which chapter of the book you should be using to help your student or students.

Have questions? Email me or post a discussion item on this page.

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