$14
weeklyUnlocking the Mysteries of English Spelling: A Structured Word Inquiry Approach
Completed by 193 learners
Ages 8-12
Live Group Class
Live video meetings
1x per week
2-8 learners per class
30 min
What's included
1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
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: A look at etymological markers Week of Jan. 13: Choosing <k> or <ck> Week of Jan. 20: Choosing <ch> or <tch> Week of Jan. 27: Four ways to spell the /n/ phoneme Week of Feb 3: Long and short sounds of the <ea> grapheme Week of Feb 10: Bound bases Week of Feb 17: NO CLASS Week of Feb 24: A close look at three familiar words: dissect, disease, disaster Week of March 3: (Tuesday section will not meet) Word Building Week of March 10: The spelling of numbers Week of March 17: Choosing between <ge> and <dge> Week of March 24: A close look at plurals Week of March 31: Words of Greek origin Week of April 7: Content words and Function words Week of April 14: NO CLASS Week of April 21: The <wh> grapheme Week of April 28: The spelling of the days of the week Week of May 5: A close look at compound words Week of May 12: Reasons for silent <e> Part 1 Week of May 19: Reasons for silent <e> Part 2 Week of May 26: NO CLASS Week of June 2: Choosing between <er> and <or> Week of June 9: Graphemes for the long /u/ sound Week of June 16: <le> <el> and <al> Week of June 23: A close look at eponyms and toponyms Week of June 30: The letter <h> Week of July 7: The <igh> grapheme Week of July 14: A close look at prefixes This class will run through the week of July 14, 2025. One section may continue through the rest of July and August depending on demand. ***Please note, I offer other classes in Stuctured Word Inquiry as well. There is a 12-l̲e̲s̲s̲o̲n̲ class that makes a great introduction to this approach to spelling, and offers live lessons with the teacher. Follow this link to see scheduled sections and enroll! https://outschool.com/classes/introduction-to-structured-word-inquiry-dyCAN9V7?usid=nD85Y1ms&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link ####There is also a Self-Paced v̲e̲r̲s̲i̲o̲n̲ of the class with pre-recorded lessons that students can watch on their own time and posted homework to complete. I always give feedback to all posted work. https://outschool.com/classes/sp-course-introduction-to-structured-word-inquiry-xIijJB7W?usid=nD85Y1ms&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link I am also available to work 1:1 with your child to support their development in spelling, reading and vocabulary using the Structured Word Inquiry approach. I have options to meet with your learner in a live 1:1 class format, or asynchronously via a flex class option. Links to those classes can be found here: 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝟏:𝟏 𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: https://outschool.com/classes/11-reading-and-spelling-support-through-structured-word-inquiry-48DdKAA3?usid=nD85Y1ms&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link 𝐀𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝟏:𝟏 𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: https://outschool.com/classes/flex-11-reading-and-spelling-support-through-structured-word-inquiry-2rP2Q2E8?usid=nD85Y1ms&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link 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/
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. 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, suffix, vowel and consonant.
Supply List
Students may want paper or a notebook for taking notes and practicing some of the skills and spellings we learn in the class. Learners also have the option to use the chat if they prefer and want to do some writing or spelling.
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, Susan Scibetta Hegland, 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.
Meet the teacher
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
Andrea Dalland, M.Ed, MLS suggests this class next...
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