Program Description

Words Their Way, a supplemental practice program, provides multisensory phonics practice for grades K-5. "From renowned authors Donald Bear, Marcia Invernizzi, Francine Johnston, Shane Templeton, and Lori Helman, Words Their Way provides personalized phonics practice through hands-on and digital sorts. Students have fun with practice that reinforces their knowledge of phonology, sound-symbol association, morphology, and the 6 syllable types of English."

Cost

Multiple books/components; cost varies; free practice activities available

Intended Population

• Any

Grade

• Pre-K
• Elementary School
• Middle School

Intended Group Size

• Any

ELL/DLL

• Full

Multisensory Applications

• Yes

Computer-Based Delivery

• Partial

Scripted

• Instructor Scripted

Comprehensive or Skill Specific

• Comprehensive

Placement Tests

• Yes

Accelerated Learning

• No

Assessment to Monitor Skills Mastery

• Yes

Error Correction Built In

• Yes

Fidelity Measures Provided by Publisher

• Unspecified

Research Summary

The NeMTSS review of the literature revealed mixed results; however, there are limitations to the methods which preclude them from WWC and our rating. Results on reading and spelling measures were neutral or slightly positive. However, the gains were not significant. The peer-reviewed case study found positive, yet insignificant results.

Study Citations

Publisher

Marble-Flint, K., Steiner, H., Elliott, A., & Stein, M. (2021). Implementing Words Their Way with an Adolescent Who Uses AAC: A Case Study. Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal, 12(1), 3480–3485. https://doi.org/10.20533/licej.2040.2589.2021.0458

Singleton, S. (2013). The effectiveness of Words Their Way as an instructional intervention tool for building reading comprehension in English language learners through word study (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Wisconsin.

What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Report

• No studies met WWC inclusion criteria

Evidence Base (ESSA)

• Qualifying studies found no significant positive outcomes

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

• Insufficient evidence

Additional Reviews

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/raising-readers-writers-and-spellers/201508/why-america-can-t-read
• https://cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-reviews-core-curricula/phonics-reading/phonics-reading-programs/words-their-way-classroom