This personal dictionary provides an initial list of 500 high-frequency sight words, plus plenty of blank lines for new words chosen by the student or teacher. Additional words can be selected from phonics lessons, spelling lists, literature, word walls, or other sources. A section in the back of the book provides pages for color and number words, the names of friends and family members, and other categories of words.

The process of adding words that are relevant and personally meaningful engages students in learning and remembering. It also facilitates differentiated instruction by enabling each student to add words appropriate for that student. Students then refer to their personal dictionaries when writing, so the words’ correct spelling is frequently used and reinforced. And as students expand the collection of words they recognize and spell correctly, they gain confidence and a sense of ownership of our language.