Evaluation of Reading Intervention Program

EDES 6359

Natalie Lozano

Loyola Marymount University

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The reading intervention program that is used in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is

Words Their Way​. ​Words Their Way​ is an individualized word study program that helps to

differentiate phonics instruction through a series of sorts, games, and activities. To begin

intervention, students are first given a list of words to spell, either from a primary, elementary, or

upper elementary list. Students are to try their best to spell these words without studying ahead

of time. After this spelling inventory is given, the teacher will then correct the tests. However,

instead of just grading the test for whether the word is spelled correctly or incorrectly, the

teacher will look for spelling patterns in which the student got correct (for example, spelling the

word, ‘train,’ like ‘chrain.’ Though the student spelled the whole word incorrectly, they would

receive a point for for identifying that the letters, ‘ai’ put together make the long, ‘a’ sound. After

going through all the words, the students would be put into one of five spelling stages:

● Emergent

● Letter name alphabetic

● Within Word Pattern

● Syllables and Affixes

● Derivational Endings

It is important to understand the characteristics of these stages because analysis of the spelling

inventory data will help students be successful when completing extra practice in their spelling

stage and during small group instruction.

Once students are placed into one of the spelling stages, flexible instructional groups can

be created. These groups will be composed with students that are at all a the same spelling stage

in order to differentiate instruction. Organization of these groups can easily be mapped out
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through a chart, including the students name, the group they are in, and how often they will meet

with the teacher for small group instruction.

Small group instruction for ​Words Their Way​ incorporates a few different teaching

strategies and tools to help students improve in their phonics skills for their spelling stage.

Instruction usually begins with an open sort where students work together to try to sort words or

pictures (dependent on spelling stage) based on something the words or pictures have in

common. Afterwards, the students would explain how they sorted their words or pictures. The

next step for instruction is a teacher directed sort where the teacher explicitly explains the the

spelling pattern, then sorts the words or pictures. The teacher will engage the students in the sort

after modeling of the sort is complete. For extra practice, the students within the small group will

participate in games where they work with the spelling pattern for the weekly focus. These

games can include speed sorts, board games, matching games, and bingo. This small group

instruction is best done during reading centers so teachers have the ability to work with students

individually. When a student is not meeting with the teacher, they have other opportunities

during centers and collaborative learning to practice their spelling pattern for the week.

Words Their Way​ is a beneficial intervention program for students that have trouble with

decoding words. This program allows students to understand common spelling patterns they may

see in their writing and spelling, but most importantly their reading to help them build towards

independence. This is also a beneficial program for students that are above grade level and are in

need of a challenge so they can continue to grow in their reading skills. The implementation of

this program in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has allowed students to grow tremendously in
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their reading skills, and become readers who persevere when they encounter a word they do not

know using the strategies and tools learned from ​Words Their Way i​ ntervention.