Kinesthetic Approach to Word Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a kinesthetic approach to teaching word study in a second grade classroom would impact word feature knowledge on independent writing tasks. The study focused specifically on the Making Words (Cunningham & Hall, 2009) program, a tactile approach to the study of word feature knowledge and spelling patterns. The data were collected through pre- and post- Developmental Spelling Assessments, weekly observational notes, student writing samples, and student interviews. Data were then analyzed to determine if the kinesthetic approach to word study had an impact on the conventional spelling in independent written tasks. Data were collected and analyzed through individual student case studies and then analyzed as a whole, revealing common themes.