Personal Dictionaries & Journals » Words I Use When I Write

Words I Use When I Write
Spelling and writing support for early readers
by Alana Trisler, Patrice Cardiel, et al.
Grades K–6

These personal dictionaries provide useful words for spelling and writing. Building on an initial high-frequency word list, students can add new words they’ve chosen themselves, as well as those suggested by the teacher. These books are perfect for a writer’s workshop model or for independent practice. Their format facilitates differentiated instruction by enabling students at different levels to compile meaningful and appropriate words using the same books.

My Word Book (Grades K–1)
My Word Book is the precursor to Words I Use When I Write and provides alphabetized lists of appropriate words – with accompanying drawings – plus blank lines and picture boxes on facing pages. Separate pages for important names, “school tools,” and color words are also included.

Mi libro de Palabras, the Spanish-language version of My Word Book, includes 90 high-frequency sight words, and pays special attention to differences in Spanish spelling and punctuation.

Words I Use When I Write (Grades 1–2)
Words I Use When I Write provides close to 500 high-interest, high-frequency words in hand-printed manuscript, plus plenty of blank lines for new words. Separate pages for important names and word categories are also included.

Palabras que yo uso cuando escribo, the Spanish-language version of Words I Use When I Write, provides 400 high-frequency sight words, paying special attention to differences in Spanish spelling and punctuation.

More Words I Use When I Write (Grades 3–4)
More Words I Use When I Write provides more than 1,000 hand-printed high-frequency words appropriate for intermediate students, with extra pages of blank lines included to support a growing vocabulary.

Advanced Words I Use When I Write (Grades 5–6)
Advanced Words I Use When I Write provides more than 1,200 typeset high-frequency words, including “spelling demons” and content-area words appropriate for older students. Extra pages of lines support a growing and more specialized vocabulary.