Mindful of Words: Spelling and Vocabulary Explorations 4-8 (Solving Problems in the Teaching of Literacy) - Softcover

"Mindful of Words is an invaluable addition to the upper-grade teacher's resource shelf. It illuminates the intermediate teacher's role in providing meaningful, intellectually stimulating word study. I found the 'Teacher to Teacher' sections, which show exactly how teachers and principals have incorporated Ganske's suggestions in their classrooms and schools, to be extremely useful. I also loved the 'Did You Know' sections. I rediscovered information about words I had long forgotten or never knew. This book will help teachers make their own love of language contagious to kids!"--Ellin Oliver Keene, MA, Director of Research and Development, Public Education and Business Coalition, Denver, Colorado

"Ganske has once again succeeded in providing classroom teachers with a valuable tool for differentiating instruction and meeting the instructional needs of individual learners. Upper-elementary and middle school teachers have been anxiously awaiting the kind of guidance and instructional support Ganske gives them for a systematic, developmental approach to word study. One of the many strengths of Ganske's approach is her attention to motivation; she appeals to students' curiosity and humor. I can't wait to share this essential resource with students in my teacher education classes and professional development workshops."--Deanna Birdyshaw, PhD, School of Education, University of Michigan

"Mindful of Words is a comprehensive resource for the implementation of quality word study for students in the upper stages of spelling and word development. Literacy educators will benefit from this clear and concise guide that promotes students’ flexibility with words and their enthusiasm for the complexities of the English language. Ganske’s systematic approach to word study provides an integral component of the foundation on which proficient reading is built."--Robin Seeker, MA, literacy consultant, St. Vrain Valley School District, Longmont, Colorado

"Ganske has done it again, providing a resource that will allow for meaningful differentiated instruction in the area of word study in grades 4-8. In an era of reform that embraces research-based practices, this resource clearly guides teachers in putting theory into practice. Using this book will result in more engaging instruction that better prepares students to decode, compose, and comprehend sophisticated texts."--Michelle Huntress, MA, Reading Consultant, Storm Lake Community School District, Storm Lake, Iowa

Providing a wealth of tools to enhance upper-level spelling and vocabulary instruction, this engaging book features more than 120 reproducible sorting activities and games. It offers specific suggestions for helping students build mastery of vowel patterns, syllable structure, syllable stress, consonant and vowel alternations, compound words, prefixes, suffixes, and word roots. Also featured are "Did You Know?" sections with absorbing stories about specific words; tips from teachers at different grade levels; discussions of idioms; literature recommendations; and lists of vocabulary related to social studies, science, and math.

See also Ganske's Word Journeys, Second Edition: Assessment-Guided Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction, which provides a comprehensive framework for assessing and building word knowledge, and Word Sorts and More, Second Edition: Sound, Pattern, and Meaning Explorations K–3, which presents word study activities for the primary grades.