Word matters : teaching phonics and spelling in the reading/writing classroom / Gay Su Pinnell and Irene C. Fountas ; with a chapter by Mary Ellen Giacobbe.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 395-396) and index.

Explains how to create literacy programs for K-3 students that focus on letters, sounds, and words, discussing the theory of word study and providing instructions and practical tools for reading and writing skills.

Eight principles of literacy learning -- Designing a quality literacy program -- Becoming a word solver -- A dynamic classroom environment for word solving -- Interactive word walls and charts -- What teachers need to know about language -- Building on early learning -- What's in a word? Phonological and orthographic awareness -- What children need to know about letters and words -- Assessing what children know -- Word-solving strategies: organize to teach -- Teaching for print and sound knowledge -- Word explorers: teaching strategies that promote active inquiry -- A comprehensive word study system -- Interactive writing: developing word-solving strategies -- The writing workshop: support for word learning -- Reading instruction: systematic observation and teaching for word solving -- Guided reading: powerful teaching for word solving -- Establishing benchmarks for progress -- Thinking comprehensively about word solving.