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$60

for 4 classes
Class

Word Knowers: Spelling for Meaning, Structure and Comprehension

Completed by 7 learners
Ages 8-12
Live Group Class
Complement spelling rules and exceptions with structured word inquiry (SWI). SWI explores meaning, origin, prefixes/suffixes and Greek/Latin bases. Hone vocabulary exponentially and spin the SWI wheel to enhance learning.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(242 reviews)
Rising Star

Live video meetings
1x per week, 4 weeks
2-6 learners per class
45 min

What's included

4 live meetings
3 in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 3 - 6
“GIVE A MAN A FISH, AND YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, AND YOU FEED HIM FOR A LIFETIME.”

Traditional spelling instruction often includes word lists, tests, writing words over and over and memorizing. While these strategies have their merits, this four-week, structured word inquiry (SWI) introductory class encourages learners to explore words beyond spelling rules and exceptions. When learners know a word's meaning, history and orthography (spelling), they develop an understanding of and appreciation for English language words that can last a lifetime.

This teacher-led introduction to inquiry-based learning promotes its "5 E's:"

***Engage
***Explore
***Explain
***Elaborate
***Evaluate

Each class, learners make educated guesses (hypotheses) about word meaning, structure, sounds and origin; and discover new knowledge. Learners collaborate, looking for similarities and differences to support their hypothesis; and draw word conclusions. Learners explain their insight into a word's orthographic (spelling) pattern to enhance their understanding. 


Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) answers four Inquiry questions:
                              **  What does the word mean (based on the context of the story)?
                              **  What is its structure (including base word, prefixes and suffixes)?
                              **  What are some relatives (other words in the same word family)?
                               ** How do the letters (graphemes) function to spell a word)?

Why engage in inquiry-based learning?
***To encourage learners to think confidently, critically and creatively about words (and other things).

Word investigators can understand and apply the three big ideas behind words:

1. Morphology (word structure) is the framework.
2. Etymology explains morphology, going beyond the surface meaning of words.
3. Spelling-sound is important and so is meaning, which strengthens spelling, expands vocabulary, deepens comprehension and allows us to understand relationships between spelling and pronunciation.

*** Word inquiry leads to word power!

Instructional Strategies Include:
** Word Sorts (Word Families)
** Boxing the Base
** Word Sums:  un+ dis + cover + ed  ----------> undiscovered
                           prefixes    base   suffix                    complete word

***Words have a history, which means they have a story to tell.

Spin the SWI Wheel:

***Each class, learners can choose to spin the SWI wheel and answer the spun question. The wheel expands weekly with new concepts and skills. Possible SWI wheel questions include:

***What is Etymology?
***Is "sruct" a free or bound base? Why?
***Can you identify the prefix, base and suffix in the word "procession?" "What do they mean?"



Structured Word Inquiry benefits:
                                  **Writing: spelling and word choice
                                  **Reading: decoding and comprehension
                                  **Speaking and Listening: strengthened vocabulary

***English spelling isn't simple, but it's clear!

Course provides instruction on:
** Prefixes (including dis, un and post)
** Greek bases (including graph, scope and photo)
** Latin bases (including duct, ject and script)
** Suffixes (including ful, ness, and tion)

***Class Lessons***

Week 1 

**Learners take an informal oral, pre-assessment of baseline knowledge of prefixes, Greek/Latin bases, suffixes and etymology.
**Introduce learners to structured word inquiry (SWI) and its five components.
**Introduce the three big ideas of structured word inquiry: 

1. Morphology (word structure)
2. Etymology (word origin)
3. Orthography (spelling)

**Teach learners how to differentiate between free and bound bases in words.
**Introduce the Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) wheel to enhance learning.

Week 2

**Review Lesson One's key takeaways. 
**Introduce the SWI instructional method of Boxing the Base.
**Incorporate the five components of SWI: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate.
**Encourage leaners to spin the SWI wheel and test their SWI knowledge.

Week 3

**Review Lesson Two's key takeaways. 
**Introduce the SWI instructional method of Word Matrices.
**Incorporate the five components of SWI: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate.
**Encourage leaners to spin the SWI wheel and test their SWI knowledge.

Week 4

**Review Lesson Three's key takeaways. 
**Introduce the SWI instructional method of Word Sums.
**Incorporate the five components of SWI: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate.
**Encourage leaners to spin the SWI wheel and test their SWI knowledge.
**Learners take an informal oral, post-assessment of course knowledge of prefixes, Greek/Latin bases, suffixes and etymology.

Ideally, learners will develop an appreciation for, and deeper understanding of English language words, including origin, meaning, spelling and pronunciation- skills that can last a lifetime.

Learning Goals

Ideally, learners will develop an appreciation for, and deeper understanding of English language words, including origin, meaning, spelling and pronunciation- skills that can last a lifetime.

Other Details

Supply List
Paper/pencil, laptop or iPad
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

5.0
242reviews
Rising Star
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Special Education
Master's Degree in Education from Cleveland State University-Does not expire.
Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from Mercyhurst University-Does not expire.
I achieved my masters degree in education and earned my reading endorsement through the Ohio Department of Education, which certifies my ability to plan, instruct, engage and assess learners in the *Big Five* components of the science of reading: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency and Comprehension.

***Professional Development: 

**The Snapshot Word Inquiry Workshop-Wordtorque January 2024

Fluency Instruction in the Age of the Science of Reading-January 2023-International Literacy Association (ILA)

7th Annual Dyslexia Virtual Conference: February 27th through March 17, 2023 (Dyslexia Training Institute)

Education Included:

•	Dyslexia for a Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia
•	Dyslexia Among English Learners: From Identification to Treatment
•	Getting a Grip on Teaching Grammar
•	Reading Fluency
•	Strategies to Boost Spelling Success
•	The Intersectionality of Race and Dyslexia for Black/Brown Children: Barriers to Diagnosis and Intervention
•	Understanding Dysgraphia (Developmental learning disorder with impairment in written expression)


***Phonics + Morphology= A Love Story April 2023

***Word Inquiry in Action   April 2023

Virtual 30-day access conference featuring international teachers incorporating structured word inquiry (SWI) into their instruction.  Educators included representation from  Australia, Hong Kong and the United States. Lessons focused on *Investigative Insights and *Quick Consolidations.

***Structured Word Inquiry* from the Dyslexia Training Institute (DTI) in San Diego, California:

DTI's 2022 Fall Spelling Symposium-Week 1: 3 hours October 4, 2022
DTI's 2022 Fall Spelling Symposium-Week 2: 3 hours October 9, 2022

DTI's 2021 Fall Spelling Symposium-Week 1: 3 hours  October 9, 2021
DTI's 2021 Fall Spelling Symposium-Week 2: 3 hours October 18, 2021




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