Teaching spelling-meaning patterns, consonant and vowel alternation, the schwa sound in related words, the suffix pairs -ENT/-ENCE and -ANT/-ANCE, -ABLE and -IBLE, prefix assimilation, and accent and doubling? This Words Their Way aligned Derivational Relations Units 4, 6 & 8 Activity Pack brings together four of the most-used word study printables in my store: Fill in the Missing Letters, Discovery Word Searches, Word Study Notebook Activities, and the Word Lists and Homework Routine. Now your students' whole routine is organized and ready to print in one run!
The activities are aligned to Words Their Way: Word Sorts for Derivational Relations Spellers (3rd Edition), Units 4, 6 & 8, Sorts 16-18, 23-26, and 32-37. You'll typically see Derivational Relations spellers in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, but if you're running differentiated word study groups, use these with any students whose spelling inventory places them in this stage.
SPELLING CONCEPTS IN THIS UNIT
16 - Consonant Alternation
17 - Vowel Alternation: Long to Short Vowel
18 - Vowel Alternation: Long to Short or Schwa
23 - Adding Suffix -ITY: Vowel Alternation, Schwa to Short
24 - Vowel Alternations: Long, Short, and Schwa
25 - Adding -ION: Vowel Alternation with Spelling Change
26 - Multiple Alternations
32 - Suffixes -ENT/-ENCE, -ANT/-ANCE
33 - Suffixes -ENT/-ENCE/-ENCY, -ANT/-ANCE/-ANCY
34 - Suffixes -ABLE/-IBLE
35 - Adding -ABLE and -IBLE (e-drop; y to i)
36 - Prefix Assimilation IN-
37 - Accent and Doubling
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Word Lists and Spelling Homework (13 lists)
Take-home word list printables with suggested practice activities, cut-apart words for sorting, half-page and 3-per-page versions to save paper, sorting cards for small group or independent use, a parent letter for the unit, and teacher tips for launching the routine.
Unlock the List (13 puzzles)
A fill-in-the-missing-letters activity that turns the weekly word list into a puzzle. Students encounter their list with vowels, blends, digraphs, and word parts missing and work to unlock it. As they solve words, they begin noticing connections between them, which pushes them to analyze the vowel sounds and spelling patterns behind the sort. Answer keys included.
Discovery Word Searches (13 searches)
A blind word search with no accompanying word list, because the goal is for students to discover and seek out correctly spelled words themselves. After finding two or three words, students start to see the pattern emerging, which helps them predict the rest of the sort. Available 1-per-page with a sorting chart and 2-per-page for gluing into word study notebooks. Answer keys included.
Word Study Notebook Activities (34 activity sheets)
Activity sheets that scaffold students into deeper analysis of the unit's concepts. Students trace how the sound of a letter shifts between related words while the spelling stays the same, apply the spelling changes each suffix requires, and sort words by the alternation pattern they follow. Multiple sheets per sort, with answer keys.
ALSO INCLUDED
- Word List Reference Tool for Teachers (PDF), so this pack works with or without the Words Their Way book
- Teacher tips for implementing each routine
- Editable word study schedule
- Student notebook covers
- Answer keys for every activity
HOW THIS RESOURCE HELPS YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS
- Covers the full unit in one purchase, so there's no hunting for activities each week
- Four different activity types keep the weekly routine varied
- Works for centers, small groups, independent practice, and homework
- Keeps at-home practice manageable at just 10 to 15 minutes a day
- Creates a consistent home-school connection families can actually follow
- Builds mastery through repeated, hands-on exposure to the same patterns
Interested in adding game centers or independent hands-on activities to your routine? The game centers in the Vowel Alternations bundle, Adding Suffixes & Vowel Alternations bundle, and Adding Derivational Suffixes bundle match the activities you're currently checking out!
ABOUT THE DERIVATIONAL RELATIONS STAGE
This stage is where students begin connecting spelling with meaning on a deeper level. Typically spanning grades 4-6 and beyond, students at this level are proficient with foundational spelling patterns and ready to explore advanced word study concepts. Instruction focuses on prefixes, suffixes, derivational suffixes, consonant and vowel alternation, and the study of Latin and Greek roots. By analyzing how words are built, students strengthen spelling while expanding vocabulary and overall language skills.
NEED PRINTABLES FOR THE ENTIRE DERIVATIONAL RELATIONS LEVEL?
See the Derivational Relations Printable Bundle (contains all 4 resources)
Or, Shop By Activity:
- Word Study Notebook
- Word Searches
- Fill in the Blank Word List Activity
- Weekly Spelling Homework & Word Lists
Copyright © Tammy Roose, Tarheelstate Teacher.
The purchase of this resource gives the buyer permission to download and copy for single classroom use only. Electronic distribution is also limited to single classroom use. Copying for other teachers, school-wide use, or school systems is only allowed with the purchase of additional licenses.
