Invented Spelling

Definition: young children's attempts to use their best judgements about spelling (children spelling a word the best they can, usually by sounding it out)- readingrockets.org




This is important because this is how children first learn to spell. When they sound out words on their own or try to spell without help, this is the process we will see them use as teachers. This helps them to problem-solve and try their best. 


Word Walls

Definition: a collection of words which are displayed in large visible letters on a wall, bulletin board, or other display surface in the classroom- readingrockets.org




This is important because word walls are useful tools to help children with words. Instead of writing them incorrectly, they can simply look at the list and practice writing it correctly. This also helps teachers to not have to spell a word over and over for students, which allows more work to be done by the students. 


Word Sorts

Defintion:Word sorts are activities in which students categorize words according to the words' features-readinghorizons.com






This is important because it helps children see the similarities and differences among words. This process helps children with reading, spelling, and writing. 
Morphemes

Definition:the smallest meaningful unit of language that cannot be broken into smaller parts- grammerbank.com




This is important because when learning to read and comprehend what you read, you must understand what words mean. You have to be able to break apart words and understand what a morpheme is versus the other parts of the words. This will also help with writing and spelling. 



Phonemes

Definition:the smallest unit (sound) of language which serves to distinguish words from one another- grammerbank.com 


This is important because when you are reading, you have to understand the sounds and be able to tell the differences between words and how they are pronounced. This is a crucial part of communication. 






Synthetic Phonics


Definition:teaching students explicitly to convert letters into sounds (phonemes) and then blend the sounds to form recognizable words- readingrockets.com
This is important because this is how children mainly learn how to read. They see a word and sound each part of the sound out then put it together to form the words. This is how teachers show children how to read, especially with unknown words.





Analytic Phonics


Definition: teaching students to analyze letter-sound relations in previously learned words to avoid pronouncing sounds in isolation- readingrockets.org




This is important because this is how you connect words. For example, students use this method to use similar words or words they already know to help them figure out new words.