For Pennsylvania reading specialist Tracey Fritch, Just Words® is more than a Tier 2 intervention program—it’s a path to independence for her students. With over a decade of experience using Wilson® programs, Tracey appreciates how Just Words meets the needs of students who benefit from additional support without the intensity of a full Tier 3 intervention. In this spotlight, she shares how the program supports lasting skill development, encourages student agency, and fosters collaborative success across her school community.
Just Words strikes the perfect balance between constructivist approaches—which work for some students but aren’t always directive enough for those who struggle—and more intensive programs like the Wilson Reading System® (WRS). Many students don’t need that level of intensity, and Just Words offers them the structured, multimodal support they need in a more efficient timeframe, so they can be finished with me sooner. I always tell my students that my proudest days are when I teach myself out of a job!
They begin to slow down, stop guessing, and take a more strategic approach to reading and writing. Once they see that being deliberate helps them succeed, they become more engaged in the process and ask better questions. That’s when you know they’re on the road to self-sufficiency.
I worked closely with a student’s speech therapist to help the student tackle r-controlled vowels—a real challenge that affected their reading, writing, and speech. Our collaboration enabled us to use similar language and help the student rehearse the same concepts in multiple contexts. The student gained more confidence, taking a noticeable leap forward in their command of the language. This kind of collaboration can make all the difference!
Many parents are eager to know how they can help their middle schoolers transfer the knowledge they are gaining at school into their everyday reading and writing at home. When we can foster those partnerships—with both families and regular education Language Arts teachers—we see the most growth.
I appreciate knowing that my students are receiving research-based instruction and that I typically already have all the materials I need to put this instruction into action. Students move to more complex vowel patterns in an expedient way, which helps them reach independence sooner. I also like that Just Words gives them the vocabulary to talk about what they’re doing—and what they need to adjust—so they can take ownership of their learning.
Use the program with fidelity, but don’t be afraid to really get to know your students and supplement with targeted support to help them with concepts where they struggle. We often add word study games using the words of the various Units, and they each keep personalized lists of the kinds of words that give them trouble in our daily work, so that they can use those for any extra practice exercises we try.