Introduction to Structured Word Inquiry (Spelling)
If learning rules with tons of exceptions and rote memorization of words isn't working, it's time to try a new approach. This class will transform learners' understanding of words and how spelling works while also improving vocabulary.
Andrea Dalland, M.Ed, MLS
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(142)
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What's included
12 live meetings
9 in-class hoursHomework
We will plan to complete practice work together during the class time, however there may be some weeks when we run out of time to finish the work together, and students may need to finish some of the work on their own. It should take students no longer than 10-15 minutes to complete.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Intermediate Level
If you are like most speakers of English, you’ve been taught to spell a word by “sounding it out.” But you probably also know that this strategy only works a small handful of times. Between silent letters, letters that can make more than one sound, and words that sound exactly the same but are spelled differently…..the number of obstacles in the way of “sounding out” words makes this strategy inefficient at best and frustrating at worst. If rote memorization of lists of spelling words, copying sentences, and applying spelling “rules” that have dozens of exceptions just isn't working for your learner, it may be time for a different approach. Most spelling programs leave students with serious misunderstandings about how spelling really works. This course will reveal that English spelling is actually highly ordered and logical, once you have unlocked some of its secrets. Students will learn to break words apart into bases, prefixes, and suffixes, and use those parts to make informed decisions about how to spell and understand what words mean. Students will learn to think like “word scientists,” making a hypothesis about spelling patterns, testing their theories, and discovering rules of spelling that actually work. This class will boost not only their spelling skills, but expand their vocabulary as well. It’s an exploration of etymology and morphology that will transform the way they think about words and the way English spelling functions. Throughout the class, learners are welcomed and encouraged to submit words they find difficult to spell or otherwise mysterious, and I'm happy to build these words into our investigations. Students will come away from the class with a clear understanding that every word is spelled the way it is for a reason, and that it's possible to research, learn and understand the reasons for every spelling! If you are interested in reading more about the Structured Word Inquiry approach to teaching spelling, these are good places to start: https://psyarxiv.com/aktzw/ https://learningaboutspelling.com/about-2/
Learning Goals
At the end of this class, students will be able to:
-break words apart into prefixes, bases, and suffixes
-understand how to identify the graphemes, morphemes, and phonemes that create a word
-understand that words that are connected in meaning will also be connected in spelling
-understand how adding a suffix can change the spelling of a base word, for example by dropping a silent -e or doubling a final consonant
-use provided flow charts and matrices to make decisions about spelling when adding a suffix to a base word
-approach spelling problems by "thinking like a scientist," making a hypothesis about a word, testing their hypothesis, and seeing the results
-be able to do research into the etymology of a word to learn more about its meaning, origin, and spelling patterns
-know how to do research into a word's morphology and etymology
Syllabus
12 Lessons
over 12 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction and the History of English
We'll start by learning the history of English and how we have arrived at where we are and which factors have influenced our spelling. We'll also start dismantling the idea that the job of English spelling is to represent sound, and we'll examine several examples of words that prove that the primary purpose of the spelling system is to represent meaning. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Morphemes, Phonemes and Graphemes
Students will learn the definitions of phonemes, graphemes, and morphemes and how they work together to spell words. We'll also learn about Word Families and how words from the same base will share connections in meaning and spelling. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Suffixing Rules Part 1
We'll take a closer look at suffixing and figuring out the suffixing rules for dropping a silent e and changing y to i. We will learn to think like "Word Scientists" to make hypotheses and then use words to test them and come to conclusions about the suffixing rules. We'll learn how to use flowcharts that help us apply the rules of suffixing. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Suffixing Rules Part 2
We will continue to work with suffixing rules for doubling a final consonant and practice applying the suffixing rules by building word with a matrix. 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parents, be aware that this class could turn your child into a logophile (not sure what this word means? Check a dictionary, think about the parts that make up this word and see if you can think of words that are related in meaning and spelling. Now you're on your way to becoming a logophile yourself!) and will make them notice and ask questions about words and the spellings of words all day. You have been warned!
Supply List
It is recommended for students to keep a small notebook for taking notes, writing word sums, and keeping lists of prefixes, suffixes and bases that we discover during the class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2022
5.0
142reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from University of Missouri at Columbia
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Calvin College
I have had extensive professional development in the ideas presented in this class, including working directly with Peter Bowers and WordWorksKingston to learn the principles of Structured Word Inquiry, and I have seven years of experience teaching this content in a classroom setting. I have also been involved in the creation of resources for colleagues to use in their teaching as they implemented SWI in their own classrooms. Reviews
Live Group Course
$180
for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
45 min
Completed by 16 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-16
3-10 learners per class
