Learn to understand the richness and complexity of English spelling by investigating words via Structured Word Inquiry and the 'four questions.' Spelling does make sense when we study the interrelation of morphology, phonology, and etymology. Participants will learn to: * Recognize words are built with meaning-based units * Analyze words using word sums and matrices * Identify and differentiate between free bases, bound bases, and historical roots * Begin to use Etymonline.com to find etymological information * Teach the three suffixing conventions * Teach about function vs. content words, including high frequency words * Construct lessons to support content area vocabulary and writing * Lead investigations that help students make sense of English orthography

This intro level course teaches the foundations of Structured Word Inquiry theory and practice including special considerations for our youngest and more emergent learners. Topics include: Getting started with word families and morphology The role of phonology, phonemic awareness, and orthographic mapping High frequency words and first conventions Introducing word sums and matrices What reading instruction looks like with SWI What writing instruction looks like with SWI