Introduction to Structured Word Inquiry (Spelling) Summer Camp
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:(144)
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What's included
10 live meetings
7 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Some practice will be posted as optional homework for those who choose to complete it. It should take no more than 15 minutes to complete and I will give feedback on any work submitted.Grading
Evalutation of student performance available upon request.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
Intermediate Level
**New class sections listed for December 2024 and January 2025 for Southern Hemisphere Summer!** 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. Each class will begin with a lesson that will include information about the concept being presented and examples of what these ideas look like as applied to English spelling. Students will then have the chance to complete some practice words on their own with teacher guidance. Some homework may be assigned if we do not have time to complete practice work during class. If you are interested in reading more about the Structured Word Inquiry approach to teaching spelling, this article is a good start: https://psyarxiv.com/aktzw/ ***I offer many other SWI-based classes; small group, self-paced and 1:1. Please check out my profile to see my other offerings! ***
Learning Goals
Students will:
-be able to identify morphemes, graphems and phonemes
-understand how morphology and word history impact spelling
-understand spelling changes made when adding a suffix to a base
-research the history of a word
Syllabus
10 Lessons
over 2 WeeksLesson 1:
The History of English
This introductory lesson will teach learners about the fascinating history of the English language and how we have gotten to where we are today. We'll aslo discuss why having a consistent spelling system across the English-speaking world is so important, and we'll examine the idea that English spelling is more interested in communicating meaning than sounds. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Phonemes, Graphemes and Morphemes
Students will learn the definitions of phonemes, graphemes, and morphemes and how they work together to spell words. We will work on doing some phoneme grapheme mapping and also work on starting to break words apart to look for their parts. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Word Families
Students will learn about Word Families, and see that words that are connected in meaning will also share connections in how they are spelled. We will also learn how to use a matrix to build words from a common word family. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Suffixing Rules Part 1
We’ll begin to start thinking like “word scientists” and will start to look at some of the rules of adding suffixes to bases, including when to drop the single, silent e at the end of a base word. 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
This class is excellent for learning differences like dyslexia which may make traditional spelling methods difficult. Not much intensive reading or writing is required so it is very suitable for learners who may be working below grade level
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!
Pre-Requisites
Learners should have basic knowledge of vowels and suffixes and be aware of prefixes and suffixes. Learners should understand letter-sound correspondences and may have had teaching in phonics-based programs in the past.
Joined July, 2022
5.0
144reviews
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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
$140
for 10 classes5x per week, 2 weeks
45 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
4-10 learners per class
