Word Larks

Why Is It Needed?

As students transition into the upper elementary grades, they are expected to read increasingly complex texts that include longer words and more lexical variety. Yet many students are still developing the word-level reading skills needed to automatically and fluently decode text. For these students and for English learners across all grades, reading success requires additional instruction and practice in word-level skills.

Unfortunately, just as many students need ongoing or new supports to read longer and more complex words, instruction in learning to read begins to fade from the curriculum. Students who do not develop proficient word-level reading skills by third grade often do not receive adequate classroom supports to become proficient readers and struggle with the complex language demands of content area texts.

Word Larks solves this problem by building and strengthening students’ orthographic and morphological awareness. These word-level skills play essential roles in accurate and automatic decoding, the rapid recognition of word parts in multisyllabic words, fluent reading, and the ability to decipher word meanings. Moreover, Word Larks builds motivation and engagement through play-based approaches to developing these skills.

Who Is It For?

Word Larks was developed for students in the upper elementary grades (3-5) and English learners across grades (3-12). In general education classrooms the program can be used with all students, including students with mild to moderate disabilities.

What Do Students Learn?

Word Larks targets the development of orthographic and morphological awareness. Orthographic awareness is the ability to apply knowledge of the English spelling system and common letter patterns (e.g., br-, th, -ght) when reading and writing. Morphological awareness is the knowledge that words can be decomposed into subparts that have meaning (e.g., re- means “to do again”), and the ability to use these subparts to decipher word meanings or create new words.

Word Larks is guided by instructional principles that are grounded in research on effective reading instruction for all learners. This includes explicit and systematic instruction in word parts, a play-based approach to learning that builds interest and motivation to read, and structured practice that supports students’ transition to independent reading of grade-level texts. 

The core of the Word Larks program is a series of specially designed word games that target the development of orthographic and morphological awareness. These word games introduce students to the foundations of the word-level systems in English, and strengthen students’ ability to apply word-level knowledge to decode and comprehend complex words. Moreover, Word Larks builds engagement and fosters joy in the learning process so that all students can become confident and capable readers.

Is It Effective?

Word Larks has not yet been assessed for effectiveness. An ongoing pilot of the program includes the collection of data to assess it’s efficacy at improving students’ orthographic and morphological awareness. Word Larks is grounded in current research on the science of reading and aligned with state learning standards, and is anticipated to have positive impacts on students’ reading and literacy achievement.

For more information about Word Larks or if you are interested in piloting Word Larks in your classroom, school, or district, contact Dr. Christopher Wagner at cwagner2@scu.edu.

Click here to download an informational flyer that overviews the Word Larks program.

These training videos provide an introduction to teaching with the Word Larks program, including the program foundations, how to facilitate the word games, and how to administer the program assessments. Select videos are followed by quizzes. The video quality, playback speed, and captions can be changed in the video settings. These resources are intended for use by teachers participating in the Word Larks program.

These materials supplement the Word Larks Teacher's Guide and are used to teach the program with students in a classroom setting. The Student Games are available as a Google Slides and PDF file, and can be projected or reproduced for use in the classroom by teachers participating in the Word Larks program. To print the slides, use the PDF version.

Student Games Units 1-2 (Google Slides)

Student Games Units 1-2 (PDF Download)