Introductory Word Detectives for
5th Grade and Above

Introductory Word Detectives for 5th Grade & Above is a program for older struggling readers who are experiencing decoding and spelling difficulties as a result of not having learned systemic decoding and spelling strategies. Four ways to read words are introduced, with a primary emphasis on decoding and spelling by analogy. Using age-appropriate texts and activities, this program systematically introduces struggling readers to basic concepts about how our language works, including the sophisticated concepts of the later programs in the Word Detectives series.

Struggling readers learn to decode and spell challenging, multichunk words as they also learn to write summaries of the programs content-area materials. Challenging words boost self-confidence in older struggling readers by allowing them to revisit words that they may have skipped over in the past.

What Concepts are Taught?

  • Phonemic awareness and phonics
  • Spelling strategies for high-frequency, sophisticated, multichunk words
    • Sound-letter matches
    • Spelling-pattern/rhyme units (Key Words)
    • Meaning units
  • Analogy approach to decoding using Key Words
  • Strategic application of word-solving methods
  • Comprehension monitoring by writing summaries
  • Student choice of spelling word study
  • Spelling conscience
  • Word analysis (fully analyzing)
  • Self-assessment by graphing improvement scores
  • Pattern discovery by spelling states and countries

Who can use it?

  • Fifth through middle school students who are reading on level
  • Struggling preadolescent and adolescent readers who are not applying basic decoding and spelling strategies
  • Fifth-grade through middle school students who have received Word Detectives instruction, but need review
  • Reading levels: 21 and above
  • Students in 5th grade and above who are poor spellers
  • Students in 5th grade and above who have difficulty decoding multichunk words
  • Older students in general or special education
  • Students receiving whole-class or small-group instruction

How is it organized?

  • The program begins in September and continues every day throughout the school year (a 10-month program).
  • Two Phases:
    • Phase I teaches the concepts that are basic to all Word Detectives Programs
    • Phase II orchestrates the discovery and application of basic, and gradually more sophisticated, decoding and spelling concepts.
  • Thirty-minute lessons, with length of time flexible.