Jordyn Messer 02/25/14 Edok Vocabulary

APA Reference:
Zucker, T. & Invernizzi, M. (2008). My esorts and digital extensions of word study. The Reading Teacher, 61(8), 654-658. DOI: 10.1598/RT 61.8.7.

Main Idea:
This articles main focus is vocabulary technique called My eSorts. This program helps students learn to read and write through digital word studies. For the past four decades, teachers have been teaching beginning readers by sorting words into specific categories; this eSorting is extension to teaching wordy study routines. Fitting in with the 21 st century education realm, this program is done digitally, which allows the students to author their own electronic word sorts.

Supporting Details:
eSorting could be valuable for two types of readers in the classroom: (1) for students with a poor attitude toward reading, eSorts might promote a positive attitude toward literacy, and (2) for students who had already been taught spelling patterns but were having trouble mastering them, eSorts provided a new context for additional reading and spelling practice. The process of authoring My eSorts required five days of one-on-one assistance with a tutor plus the regular word study routines described. Day 1: Student dictates digital experience story and tutor types. Tutor adds digital photograph(s) of student. Day 2: Tutor and student review previous word sort and create first draft of the students personalized eSort. Day 3: They both finalize eSort by adding words from word hunts in students experience story and other texts. Day 4: They review and practice eSort until automatic. They personalize the eSort and experience story with clip art and other multimedia. Day 5: They share digital experience story and My eSort at the Autho rs Computer Chair. Student invites friends to play their eSort and read their experience story during centers. Parents and classroom volunteers could also serve as eSorting tutors. Not only did the eSorts fill the classroom computer center with useful activities, but also these student-authored eSorts stimulated rich among be- tween learners about their increasing knowledge of orthography.

Reflection:
I really enjoy the technology that goes along with being a 21 st century student and future teacher. So this article describing this digital program was very intriguing. I really think that

students would love to learn more if they were allowed to do it via technology and on their own; of which this software allows them to do both. eSorting is definitely a program that I will investigate and utilize in my future classroom.