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“Word Journeys is a revelation. It shows that word study and spelling are complex cognitive acts that require intentional instruction, student interaction, and talk. Once and for all, Ganske has ensured that no teacher will ever need to teach spelling the way so many of us were instructed as children, with a reliance on rote memorization at the expense of meaning. The rich materials in this book properly situate spelling and word study at the heart of meaningful language arts instruction.”

—Nancy Frey, PhD, Department of Educational Leadership, College of Education, San Diego State University


“Ganske delves into the importance of meaningful experiences with words for expanding children's vocabulary and enhancing their understanding of the relationships between words. She shares practical ways to employ word study in the classroom and connect it to authentic reading and writing.”

—Angela Stewart, MEd, K-5 literacy staff developer, Richmond, Virginia


“When it comes to good pedagogy about how to engage kids productively in the often unpredictable system of American spelling, there is nothing to match the combination of theoretical and practical 'centeredness' that I find in Word Journeys. I have been a fan of this work from the outset, and it has just gotten better with the second edition.”

—P. David Pearson, PhD, Evelyn Lois Corey Professor Emeritus of Instructional Science, Graduate School of Education, University of California, Berkeley


“Word Journeys, Second Edition, helps teachers implement a high-quality, rigorous curriculum that embodies the kind of integrated teaching of spelling, vocabulary, word recognition, phonics, and phonemic awareness described in the Common Core State Standards. Ganske includes extensive insights into how to group students flexibly and differentiate instruction for diverse student needs. I have used and recommended this book extensively, with good reason—it is research based, comprehensive, and, most important, it works!”

—Jeffery L. Williams, MEd, K-12 literacy coach and Reading Recovery teacher leader, Solon (Ohio) City Schools


“This book incorporates the latest research on word knowledge into a conceptual framework for preservice and inservice teachers. Educators will find this book a useful, well-crafted tool—its organization is clear and easy to follow, and it is filled with information to guide the implementation of a word study program. Leading teachers through targeted planning and small-group instruction, Ganske takes the mystery out of how to teach words well.”

—Catherine A. Rosemary, PhD, Department of Education and Allied Studies, John Carroll University

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Table of Contents

I. Understanding Word Study Contexts

1. Word Study: Reading, Writing, and Language Connections

II. Understanding Children's Word Knowledge

2. A Developmental Perspective

3. Assessing Word Knowledge: The Developmental Spelling Analysis

III. Fostering Children's Word Knowledge

4. Planning Appropriate and Engaging Instruction

5. Letter Name Word Study

6. Within Word Pattern Word Study

7. Syllable Juncture Word Study

8. Derivational Constancy Word Study

9. Questions and Answers

Appendix 1. Supplemental Word Lists

Appendix 2. Reproducible Forms

Resources

Glossary

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About the Author

Kathy Ganske, PhD, is Research Professor, Retired, in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Vanderbilt University. She has been involved in researching, using, refining, and teaching about word study practices since the 1990s. Dr. Ganske's work is grounded in extensive teaching experience in elementary classrooms. Her recent research interests include vocabulary development during small-group word study instruction and literacy reform in challenging schools. Dr. Ganske is the author, coauthor, or editor of several books, including Word Journeys, Second Edition; Word Sorts and More, Second Edition; Mindful of Words; and Comprehension Across the Curriculum, as well as numerous articles and book chapters.

• All titles by Kathy Ganske

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Audience

Classroom teachers in grades K–8; reading specialists and coaches; preservice teachers and teacher educators.

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Course Use

Serves as a text in undergraduate- and graduate-level courses such as Word Study and Vocabulary Instruction.

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Special package offer: Word Journeys: Second Edition: Assessment-Guided Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction provides a comprehensive framework for assessing and building word knowledge. Word Sorts and More, Second Edition: Sound, Pattern, and Meaning Explorations K-3 and Mindful of Words, Second Edition: Spelling and Vocabulary Explorations, Grades 4-8 present a wealth of ready-to-use word study activities.

Order all 3 items for $109.95, instead of $147.00 if bought separately!

order package

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Previous editions published by Guilford:

First Edition, © 2000
ISBN: 9781572305595

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New to this edition:

• Addresses the Common Core State Standards.
• Incorporates additional activities and technology tips, plus updated research findings.
• Chapter explaining the meaning of word study and its role in literacy instruction, including "Researcher Voices" perspectives from noted experts.
• Ideas for making the most of small-group instructional time.
• Expanded "Literature Links" book lists, now including informational texts.
• DSA answer sheets have been enhanced for easier scoring and several new reproducibles added.