Making Spelling Make Sense
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:(161)
Star Educator
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Intermediate Level
This class teaches students that English spelling is logical and structured, moving beyond traditional methods like "sounding out" and rote memorization. Instead, students will learn to approach spelling through an exploration of etymology (word history) and morphology (word parts) as well as phonology (sounds) - the way English actually functions! Each lesson will focus on understanding a different element of English, which will enhance both spelling and vocabulary skills. While each lesson stands alone and students can join at any time, those who stay long-term tend to get the most out of the class and a deeper understanding of the concepts. Join us and I can help your learner see that English spelling really does make sense! **2025!!** Week of Jan. 6: 5 questions to understand a word Week of Jan. 13: Etymological markers Week of Jan. 20: A close look at homophones Week of Jan. 27: The <y> and <i> relationship Week of Feb 3: Using apostrophes Week of Feb 10: The months of the year Week of Feb 17: NO CLASS Week of Feb 24: What is a grapheme? Week of March 3: (Monday section will not meet) Word building Week of March 10: The alphabet Week of March 17: the <igh> grapheme Week of March 24: Strategies for spelling the "schwa" Week of March 31: Another look at etymological markers Week of April 7: Positional rules for spelling with graphemes Week of April 14: NO CLASS Week of April 21: The spelling of numbers Week of April 28: < ge > or < dge >> Week of May 5: A close look at plurals Week of May 12: Words of Greek Origin Week of May 19: "Skunked" words Week of May 26: NO CLASS Week of June 2: A close look at the letter <h> Week of June 9: Choosing between <er> and <or> Week of June 16: Graphemes to spell the long /u/ sound Week of June 23: <le> <el> and <al> endings Week of June 30: Eponyms and toponyms Week of July 7: Connecting vowels Week of July 14: Assimilated prefixes This class will run through the week of July 14, 2025. One section may continue through July and August depending on demand. 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
Throughout the course of this class, students will learn to:
-break words apart into prefixes, bases, and suffixes
-understand how to identify the graphemes, morphemes, and phonemes that create a word-approach spelling problems by "thinking like a scientist," making a hypothesis about a word, testing their hypothesis, and seeing the results
Other Details
Learning Needs
SWI is an excellent strategy for learners with dyslexia. It removes the need to guess, memorize rules or rely on visual memory. Rather than learning "tips and tricks," students are taught that spelling is a system of logic and order.
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
It is helpful but not necessary if students know the difference between a vowel and a consonant and some basic letter-sound correspondences. It is also helpful if students are familiar with the terms prefix, base and suffix.
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.
Sources
The content of this class is based off the work of Melvyn Ramsden, Peter Bowers, Sue Scabetta Hegland, Fiona Hamilton and many others. Some of the resources used were created by Peter Bowers and used with his permission. More about his work with the WordWorks Literacy Centre can be found at: https://wordworkskingston.com/WordWorks/Home.html
During the class, we will use online resources including dictionary.com, thesaurus.com, etymonline.com and a word searcher website. Students will not need to access these sites directly, I will share these via screen share.
Joined July, 2022
5.0
161reviews
Star Educator
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 Class
$16
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 41 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
4-10 learners per class
