Final Wicked Problem Project

Wicked Problem

Differentiation in reading and writing is important to success in first grade. Yet differentiation in the form of tailored support and individual assessments are very time consuming.  I have hit several obstacles while providing my students with individualized spelling words this year.

The boys and girls begin the year by practicing to read all 220 Dolch words (otherwise known as sight words), and end the year by spelling these same words. The reading tests are quick, yet the spelling differentiation takes quite a bit of time.  I am noticing that this testing time is taking away from other equally important first grade tasks such as guided reading groups as well as additional small group instruction across the curriculum.  The students are also faced with the pressure to test when I have time to test them, and in doing so, they miss out on their own independent practice throughout the day.


Wicked Solution

My ultimate goal is to provide students with open-ended time to complete their differentiated Dolch word testing in a safe and effective way. I met this problem of differentiating sight words with the help of technology. I made a slideshow presentation for 11 groups of Dolch words arranged by reading frequency. Every list corresponds to the Dolch Kit materials that we use in the classroom, and all words have a consistent pronunciation that I have recorded.

The students have access to the spelling slideshow at all times of the day for the remainder of the school year. I set up each student’s testing paper and grade the results during my prep time so as not to interfere with daily classroom instruction. This technology tool has given back teaching time and supports student learning throughout the day.  Success is accomplished as I see my students testing themselves on their individualized spelling words while I carry out small group instruction at the same time!


TPaCK Application

The spelling slideshow used to differentiate Dolch spelling words incorporates several teaching strategies that identically match classroom practices.  I read each word, say the word in a sentence, and repeat each word a second time in isolation… all in an audio clip. At the push of a button students can hear the word again and again through the use of headphones that cancel out background noises. Furthermore, the technology allows better spelling accuracy since the boys and girls are able to go over their work without pressure or time restrictions that arise with one on one teacher testing.

The spelling slideshow used for differentiated spelling tests is accessible on all classroom computers to all students throughout the day. The technology lays out the content almost identically to student practice books and testing sheets. There are a total of 11 lists with 20 Dolch words each that are broken into 10 word segments for easy testing. Students are able to easily access the appropriate lists and hear a clear familiar voice reading each word.

The 220 Dolch words are commonly used in State and District standards throughout lower elementary classrooms. The use of technology to apply best practice regarding content used by all teachers in varied formats is a meaningful solution to solve the problem of time management. Students are also given the opportunity to own their own learning, be responsible for their own progress, and challenge themselves to achieve their highest potential.

Slideshow Script


WPP Presentation