Marlena Gastineau

CIED3293-004
10-6-14
RR PTU CH.9
Making Words
Making words is an activity that involves breaking apart a word to make other new
words that have the same letters and sounds. The word youve chosen to break apart is the
secrete word that the children will guess in third and final step of the lesson. The three steps of
a Making words lesson include making words from the chosen letters, finding the patterns of the
made words, and lastly, transferring what the children have learned about the letter sound
relationship into writing.
The chapter provides an example of a making word lesson with the secrete word being
magnets. However during the first step of the lesson, none of the words that were provided had a
(g) in it. I feel that there should be a word that involves every letter that is given to allow the
child to see all of the combinations of letter and sounds within the chosen letters. Also, an
advancement to this would be allowing the children to say words to add to the list for the sort as
well. I would prefer to use a making words lesson with challenge spelling words which are often
longer complex words. Other ideas for forming a making words lesson include themed lessons
from a reading, holiday theme, as well as using the childs name. Also for consideration of ELL,
youll want to choose words that are already used in the childs oral vocab or has previously
been exposed to. Having them break apart words and put together other words with a similar
sound is difficult when you do not know the sound that the letters are making to begin with.
Overall, Making Words is an excellent lesson because children love to manipulate words.
Although, choosing words that are included should show different patterns and emphasize the
main patterns you want the children to recognize. This lesson is based off guided discovery
which the teacher leads them to the ending. Choosing words that will allow for the same letter
sound as the ending secrete word would be beneficial.

Question Sticky; What does a making words worksheet look like?