| Spelling is an important component of learning to write. Despite the importance of spelling to writing development, there has historically been little agreement about how best to teach the subject. A new method of spelling instruction, word study, situates the teaching of spelling within the context of meaningful literacy instruction and is specifically designed to support young children's reading and writing development.; The purpose of this research was to examine the effectiveness of word study as an instructional approach. In particular, the study investigated the impact of a year long word study program on kindergarten children's independent writing development.; Data analysis documented (1) the specific concepts about written language and the strategies for spelling words that were taught during word study instruction, and (2) kindergarten children's use (transfer) of these concepts and strategies as they composed self-selected messages in their journals. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
