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An investigation into the implementation of Words their Way as a classroom word study program Dettling, Heather Marie

Abstract

The purpose of my research is to survey teachers in my district about the usage and implementation of a word study program called Words Their Way (Bear, Invernizzi, Templeton & Johnston, 2008). Reviews of literature and previous research pertaining to spelling acquisition theories, word sorting, and teacher implementation of programs support the use of the program and help to explain why wide-spread implementation is not occurring. District literacy coaches anecdotally report that few teachers are implementing the program. My research questions are: What obstacles impede the implementation of Words Their Way (Bear et al, 2008) as a word study program in classrooms? What do teachers believe would support implementation to make it more successful? The major source of data was an online survey administered to elementary school teachers in one district who teach Language Arts in a classroom setting. I investigated their views on implementing, and their classroom experiences with, Words Their Way (Bear et al, 2008). Other data sources included a research journal and anecdotal field notes. In response to the research findings, staff in-service opportunities, in the form of classroom demonstrations, workshops and mentorship, were created and offered.

Item Metadata

Title
An investigation into the implementation of Words their Way as a classroom word study program
Creator
Dettling, Heather Marie
Date Issued
2010-11
Description
The purpose of my research is to survey teachers in my district about the usage and implementation of a word study program called Words Their Way (Bear, Invernizzi, Templeton & Johnston, 2008). Reviews of literature and previous research pertaining to spelling acquisition theories, word sorting, and teacher implementation of programs support the use of the program and help to explain why wide-spread implementation is not occurring. District literacy coaches anecdotally report that few teachers are implementing the program. My research questions are: What obstacles impede the implementation of Words Their Way (Bear et al, 2008) as a word study program in classrooms? What do teachers believe would support implementation to make it more successful? The major source of data was an online survey administered to elementary school teachers in one district who teach Language Arts in a classroom setting. I investigated their views on implementing, and their classroom experiences with, Words Their Way (Bear et al, 2008). Other data sources included a research journal and anecdotal field notes. In response to the research findings, staff in-service opportunities, in the form of classroom demonstrations, workshops and mentorship, were created and offered.
Genre
Graduating Project
Type
Text
Language
eng
Series
University of British Columbia. LLED 590
Date Available
2014-07-29
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada
DOI
10.14288/1.0077998
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/48534
Affiliation
Education, Faculty of; Language and Literacy Education (LLED), Department of
Peer Review Status
Unreviewed
Scholarly Level
Graduate
Rights URI
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/
Aggregated Source Repository
DSpace

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada