Abstract of

Teaching Tips
My eSorts and Digital Extensions of Word Study

Tricia A. Zucker

Marcia Invernizzi

“My eSorts” is a strategy for helping children learn to read and spell in a socially motivated context. It is based on developmental spelling research and the word study approach to teaching phonics and spelling. “eSorting” employs digital desktop publishing tools that allow children to author their own electronic word sorts and then share these eSorts with their classmates at the classroom computer center. This article outlines the rationale for using digital extensions of word study and describes findings from a formative study that explored the effectiveness of eSorts with a group of first graders. The exploratory project suggests eSorts may help students solidify knowledge of spelling features while also fostering a positive attitude toward literacy.

Abstract from Zucker, T.A., & Invernizzi, M. (2008, May). My eSorts and Digital Extensions of Word Study. The Reading Teacher, 61(8), 654–658. doi: 10.1598/RT.61.8.7

Related ReadWriteThink.org lesson plans:

    Word Sorts for Beginning and Struggling Readers

    Sort, Hunt, Write: A Weekly Spelling Program

    Getting the ig in Pig: Helping Children Discover Onset and Rime