Thursday, August 16, 2012

Nifty Thrifty Fifty

Today was my first official day back to work, but I've been working on my room for about a week. I thought I'd be finished by now, but additional things keep popping up that are extremely distracting. I also took on the task of reorganizing my classroom library, which is taking forever. It is almost finished, however I need shelves. (I was delivered a book case with no shelves today.) SO FRUSTRATING!!!

Anyway, I wanted to share something that I have completed before my big reveal next week.

Nifty Thrifty Fifty


I read about this amazing concept this summer in this book that I received at a Balanced Literacy workshop.


The purpose is to teach various roots, affixes, and spelling patterns. These fifty words contain most of the most common roots, affixes, and spelling patterns that kids will encounter while reading and writing. Patricia Cunningham suggests that five words are introduced and posted each week so that around the end of first quarter the students have learned all of them. They will then be left up the rest of the year so that students can use them to reference. So if a student asks how to spell a word, you could tell them to refer to a specific word on the list for assistance.

For example: One of the words is underweight. You could have the following teaching points:
1. The prefix under meaning below
2. The long a spelling - eigh
3. The r enforced vowel - /er/
4. The base word weigh

That's four teaching points in one word. Amazing!

The picture above shows the completed chart. I have taken all the cards down to prepare for the beginning of the year.

If you would like a copy of the list of words and teaching points for each, follow my blog and leave a comment below with your email address and I will be happy to share.

12 comments:

  1. I am looking for ideas for word work and this has sparked my interest! I would love to have a copy of the list of words and teaching points. Thank you!
    vanessa.kasparek@eu.dodea.edu

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  2. I just found your blog and am your newest email follower. I would like a copy of the word list and teaching points, please. sfbaker13@gmail.com

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  3. I would love, love, love to have the word list and teaching points. I'm giving this a try this year for my first time :)

    lnjordan@msn.com

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  4. this sounds great - could you send me a copy please eidinmacnamara@hotmail.com

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  5. I would love a copy of your word list and teaching points. I'm a 4th grade teacher looking to increase students' word knowledge.

    ehoy@germantown.k12.wi.us

    Thank you!

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  6. I would love a copy to use with my fourth graders. mccombe3@yahoo.com
    Thank you!

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  7. I am a literacy coach and would love a copy of your word list and teaching points.

    tomgrasso@gmail.com

    Thanks!

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  8. I'd love to have a copy of the word list with the teaching points. Thanks!

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  9. I'd love to have a copy of the word list with the teaching points. Thanks! dperry@banyanschool.com

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  10. I am also interested in the teaching points of the Nifty Thrifty.

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  11. I am interested in the teaching points of the nifty thrifty.

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  12. Thanks for this. I really like what you've posted here and wish you the best of luck with this blog and thanks for sharing. SIOP Feature 20 Provide hands-on materials manipulative for students

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