I am not sure straight phonics does not work with MOT strategies. If you look at "phonics" as content to be learned than you can certainly use connections, mental images, inferences and synthesis to not only learn spelling words but more importantly transfer these patterns to unfamiliar words. Although not a real fan of Fountas and Pinnell.... my phonics work with kids has increased. I try very much to talk the MOT talk while we observe and use our five word wall words for the week. The assessments I give are much more difficult than the original spelling list in that the easiest way to study for the test is to understand the phonetic rule or pattern. My test consist of 5 word wall words, 5 transfer words, 5 review patterns, 5 adding endings, and dictation that includes patterns but not the five original word wall words. Remember these kids are only in first grade. Memorization of list words is not the point of learning to spell. I liken phonics rules as algorithms in math. They are the keyturn..... We make KWL charts, use graphic organizers, predict how to spell derivatives etc........I try to support the rules kinesthetically with lots of borrowed work from LindamoodBell. Kids can figure out where sounds are coming from and match them easier to letters. I must say it takes some getting used to both for parents and kids. But by end of November my kids do an exceptional job of spelling multi-syllabic words based on the phonetic patterns we study with our www. The part that I have not been as satisfied with is that the very same children who have correctly spelled a transfer (unfamiliar) word on a test will still spell it incorrectly in writing workshop. My hunches are that either it is too much to integrate....author craft, handwriting, and content of piece (keeping all balls going at once) or that the www pattern is may be too obvious on the original assessment and kids are so tied to the pattern, that using the word randomly is more difficult. I thought I had the latter covered with all the review words... but maybe not. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org.
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