A slide presentation on the derivational stage of spelling as described in "Words Their Way" by Bear, Invernizzi, Templeton, and Johnston.

1. DERIVATIONAL
AGES: 10+
GRADES: 5-12
CORRESPONDING STAGE OF READING AND WRITING:
ADVANCED

2. Derivational Stage Description
 The derivational stage is the last stage from Words Their Way.
 The derivational stage is when new words are developed from other words,
especially through affixes.
 Affixes are prefixes, suffixes, root words, or base words that are combined with
other words.
 The derivational stage also encompasses the combining of words from their
origins.
 Typically, the derivational stage is reached between the grades of 5th through
12th.
 This is associated with the meanings of words, as well as the stage for more
advanced readers.

3. Tips to Parents to Develop Orthographic Knowledge
 Increasing the reading material that is read at home
as well as school.
 By reading, students can increase their vocabulary and in turn,
improve their spelling techniques and habits.
 Introduce your child to a variety of genres during
reading.
 Facilitate an increase in your child’s high-frequency
word knowledge.
 Introduce your child to different roots, prefixes, and
suffixes, both common and uncommon.

4. Examples of Spelling Instruction
 Create word sorts.
 Word sorts are a game that forces the child to look within two words and find the
commonality between the two words.
 Creating posters for the word.
 On the poster, the student writes the word, definition, synonym, or antonym,
etymology, and either a sentence using the word or picture that represents the word.
 Practice base words using “Words that Grow”
 A picture of a tree with multiple branches is used. At the trunk of the tree, the base word
is written. Then, inside of the branches the words that have the base word inside of the
words are written.
 Practice root words by playing “Brainburst”
 Root words are written on a note cards and placed in a stack lying face down. Then, the
students are told to flip the top card over and they are given 2-3 minutes to write down as
many words that incorporate the root word shown on the note card. If a student has a word
that no one else does, that student gets a point. If multiple students have the same word,
then no points are awarded.
 These ideas are just a few that seem to be the most engaging way to help
teach spelling. However, the Words Their Way program includes many
games that would be helpful to all spelling stages or instructional strategies
that could possibly be adapted for any word pattern stage.