We need to develop our students’ fundamental literacy skills and we also want to teach them to think critically. The current research around best practice in the teaching of reading and spelling points to the need for explicit teaching of both phonics and morphology, across all grades. And when we teach students about morphology it enables us to highlight the connections which exist between words which directly strengthens their vocabulary.

Can we teach explicitly in an environment that values an inquiry-based approach? Absolutely! Explicit teaching and inquiry are often said to be polar opposites but of course they’re not. Having students map a comprehensive bank of letter-sound correspondences as well as prefixes, bases and suffixes is vital, as is teaching them how to use these elements to build words. It’s knowing when to be explicit and what to be explicit about, and when to step back that is the key. Empowering students with the necessary skills and understanding through explicit teaching allows them to successfully engage in inquiry as they master and make connections between previously unknown words.  

In this 2 day workshop participants will:

●      deepen their own understanding of how ‘words work’ - how our English orthography reflects an interrelation of

        ○      morphology (meaning-based word building blocks)

        ○      phonology (sounds in a word) and

        ○      etymology (history of the word)

●      understand the power of the morpheme (bases, prefixes and suffixes) for deepening comprehension and strengthening vocabulary

●      be better informed about the complexity of letter-sound relationships, knowing phonics goes well beyond the early years

●      encounter the research into best literacy practices

●      learn how and what to teach explicitly, gathering practical ideas including key tools and techniques to use in the classroom

●      use authentic children’s literature as one important source of word study

●      use the process of scientific inquiry to follow an investigation from start to finish

●      discover how word inquiry is transdisciplinary and can strengthen learning in all subject areas, with all students

●      learn how to provide a supportive environment which not only develops skills but also fosters curiosity about how words work

●      engage with activities you can immediately use with your students

Audience:

This workshop is intended for K-12 educators interested in

●      understanding more about English orthography (our writing system at the word level) and

●      learning how to implement this with their students to boost their reading fluency, spelling skills and vocabulary acquisition

The examples will come from a range of ages showing how this approach is applicable across divisions. School leaders interested in learning about a school-wide, inquiry-based approach to word study are encouraged to join.