Words Their Way

Words Their Way is a word study program that uses hands-on sorting activities to teach spelling patterns, phonics, and vocabulary. Instead of weekly rote lists, students categorize words by common features—such as vowel patterns or prefixes—so they see relationships and generalize patterns to new words. Developed by reading researchers, the program has been widely adopted in schools and praised for its developmental approach. Parents appreciate the concrete, manipulative-based practice and the clear stages that guide placement. It’s best for elementary and middle school learners, including those who struggle with traditional spelling tests. Preparing and managing sorts takes some adult effort, but the payoff in pattern recognition can be significant.