Spelling Teacher’s Book of Lists

   By Jo Phenix

Memorizing the spelling of all the words we use is impossible! This practical book will help you improve your students` spelling skills and encourage them to use pattern recognition, meaning and problem solving in place of relying on their memory. The lists focus on consonants, vowels, confusing spellings, linguistic roots, and useful rules. Numerous notes about regional variations, etymology and exceptions, as well as pertinent teaching and spelling tips offer a wealth of opportunities for capitalizing on "teachable moments."
Pembroke Publishers ISBN: 1-55138-066-8

Word Journeys: Assessment-Guided Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction

by Kathy Ganske

This book presents a highly practical approach to assessing children's spelling and word knowledge abilities and offering effective, appropriate instruction. Included is a dictated word inventory that enables teachers to quickly and easily evaluate students' stages of spelling development and their knowledge of important orthographic features. Detailed guidelines are set forth for engaging students in hands-on word study that is tailored to their specific strengths and weaknesses. Particularly useful features of the book include narrative "snapshots" of children at different stages of spelling development; numerous examples of student work; suggested word sort activities for each orthographic feature; lists of recommended books and poems; and a focus on fostering a love of words through word play and language appreciation. The appendix includes blackline masters, plus a list of over 12,000 words arranged by sound, pattern, and
meaning-related features.

All Sorts of Sorts: Word Sorts for Reinforcing Spelling and Phonetic Patterns

by Sheron Brown 
(Reading Specialist at Morning Creek!)

Aid your students in categorizing visual features of words. Words are sorted by initial and final consonants, vowel patterns, blends, phonograms and more. The 155 word sorts in this book are an excellent way to present students with reinforcement and additional word study practice in large group, small group, individual, and learning center settings. They foster a multi-sensory approach that allows students to sort, manipulate and categorize words in multiple ways including open, closed, speed, "blind," and writing sorts.

All Sorts of Sorts 2: Word Sorts for Complex Spelling & Phonetic Pattern Reinforcement

by Sheron Brown 
(Reading Specialist at Morning Creek!)

Ready-to-use, classroom-tested, developmental word sorts! Sheron has written a word sorting book that will challenge your intermediate and upper grade students. Word sorting is a basic word study activity that asks students to group a number of words according to categories. All Sorts of Sorts 2 presents spelling rules, word and phonics patterns, and spelling generalizations in this unique format and challenges your students to sort the words within these categories. The book contains 170 word sorts reflecting the types of spelling and phonics principles that intermediate to upper grade students encounter in their daily reading and written work. The five types of word sorts are explained along with detailed instructions on how to have your students do them. Additional word sorting activities are explained along with blank word sort black lines if the teacher decides to create her own. 

Spelling Instruction That Makes Sense

By Jo Phenix and Doreen Scott-Dunne

This ground-breaking book dispels the myths and misconceptions that surround the teaching of spelling. Full of practical ideas for classroom programs, the book presents teaching strategies that will help students explore the fun and structure of language as they gain experience and confidence with their writing. Fascinating facts about spelling, phonics, and language complement this essential book for any elementary teacher. A thorough analysis of evaluation and record-keeping complete this valuable resource book. (K-6)
Pembroke Publishers ISBN: 0-921217-68-4

What’s a Schwa Sound Anyway?

by Sandra Wilde

A very helpful introduction to linguistics and how we learn to read, spell, and pronounce words. Why are some words hard to spell correctly? What are the best ways for kids - and adults - to figure out unfamiliar words? Sandra Wilde answers these questions and more in this entertaining and informative book. (from Amazon.com)

You Kan Red This!

By Sandra Wilde

Heinemann

Elementary school teachers have begun to rethink how children learn about spelling and punctuation and what the role of the school should be in that process. You Kan Red This! is a comprehensive handbook for K-6 teachers that answers questions like these:  How can I integrate spelling and punctuation into writing? How do I know if my students are learning and improving? Can (or should) I throw out the spelling books? How can I show that invented spelling works? When, if ever, should I tell kids how to spell words? Are there ways to focus on spelling and punctuation that won't be boring?