Notes from Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom
Shift 3: A Common Practice to Reconsider
What are word chains?
Word chaining is an exercise that allows students to practice phonics and phonemic awareness at the same time by making or breaking words.
You can practice word chains by either
A.) Telling your students which letter to replace
B.) Telling your students the new word, and they must figure out which letter to replace
What are the Educational Benefits of Word Chains?
- —Vocabulary Building: Helps in learning new words and their meanings.
- —Spelling Practice: Reinforces correct spelling of words.
- —Phonics & Phonemic awareness: Reinforces letter sounds.
- —Cognitive Skills: Improves memory and the ability to make connections between concepts.
