Did you know that 500 primary grade words can be derived from just 37 word families? Those 37 word families also serve as a base for many more multiple syllable words! In Word Study we focus on weekly words that are grouped according to phonetic similarities and word families. Many of these words can be used to build other words. By recognizing and practicing these common phonetic patterns and families we work towards becoming more fluent and confident spellers. Knowing how these basic patterns work can be a valuable tool as we grow as spellers. My second graders hear me say often, “There are too many words for good spellers to memorize!” Good spellers have a good understanding of patterns and sounds and are aware of when to try another pattern if one doesn’t look right. They also learn to use a dictionary to cross check their spelling instead of just guessing. Spelling is not about memorization but rather about how our language works. All of these come together in our Word Study class.