The Effects of Word Study in Place of Traditional Spelling

The objective of the research was to establish if students improved spelling when they were engaged in hands-on experiences while learning the spelling of words. The research was conducted in a third grade classroom in a public elementary school in the upper Midwest. The four data sources utilized in the study included the Words Their Way Elementary Spelling Inventory pre and post assessments, a Student Thoughts Inventory, and teacher observations. The data revealed a substantial increase in overall words spelled correctly over the course of the project