One helpful way to draw student attention to words and the patterns found in words  is to ask students to engage in words sorts. There are three types of word sorts that you can use that are effective for both native speakers as well as English Language Learners. These are: sound sorts, pattern sorts and concept or meaning sorts.

In sound sorts, children compare similarities and differences in the sounds they hear when pronouncing the words. For example, students sort words by long and short sounds or soft and hard sounds. Words can be sorted by beginning sounds, onsets, or ending sounds. In pattern sorts, children compare the patterns they see in words or letter groups. For example, words pronounced “eep” but spelled “eap” or “eep” as in the words “leap” and “sheep.”  The third type of sort is a meaning or concept sort. Students examine the words and identify common categories to which words belong or sort words by words which have similar meanings. For example, the words, “tundra,” “grasslands” and “desert” might all be sorted under the category of “biomes.”  Words which could be sorted as having a similar meaning to the word “said” could be: “stated,” “replied,” “added” and similar types of synonyms.

Word sorts help students think about and evaluate various components in words, patterns in words or the deeper meanings of words. They can be very beneficial in helping students think about the make up of words, how words are spelled or to examine subtle shades of meaning. Word sorts are definitely a fun way to involve children in learning more and making good observations about words, their sounds and their meanings.