Empower your students with an understanding of how the English spelling system really works (beyond just phonics) - starting with how words are built (prefixes, bases, suffixes, and the 'joins' between them). This complete morphology lesson/unit is not 'cutesy' or babyish and it is open-ended, so it can be used with all levels and ages. Based on research by a dyslexic scholar, the explanations and 'rules' included will show your students that English spelling does make sense and that there are reasons why words are spelled the way they are. No more frustration, guesswork or rote learning required. This 45-page printable PDF includes: Lesson Plan Ideas for Use Open-Ended Pre-Assessment Open-Ended Post-Assessment 10 full-color visual explanations 10 blackline Practice sheets 10 answer sheets 11 blackline open-ended extension sheets The Lesson Plan is: Ready to use - all you need is a whiteboard and the print-outs Inquiry-based, starting with the gathering of evidence and the finding of patterns. Open-ended, with opportunities to extend the learning further. Balanced between inquiry, practice, and extension. The Visual Explanations, 10 Practice Sheets and 11 open-ended extension sheets cover: How words are built (morphemes: prefixes, bases, suffixes). Changes that can happen when you add a suffix. Prefixes Adding consonant suffixes Consonant suffix examples Adding vowel suffixes When vowel suffixes cause doubling (in monosyllables) When vowel suffixes cause doubling (in polysyllables) When vowel suffixes take away the Vowel suffix examples The Highly-Visual Explanation Pages can be used as mini-posters, on screen, in student journals, or as a teaching aid. This explanation of spelling rules is backed up by decades of research by a dyslexic scholar into linguistics and the history of the English spelling system (orthography), including right back to when Samuel Johnson was choosing which spellings to use when he wrote the first definitive English language dictionary. You will not find bogus rules like 'i before e except after c' in this collection! An understanding of English orthography also develops strengths in vocabulary, reading, oral language and comprehension, and can be used to complement the Science of Reading, Orton-Gillingham, and Structured Literacy approaches. Suggested Lesson Plan/Structure: Optional: Students complete open-ended pre-assessment about their knowledge of why words are spelled the way they are. 1.Pose a Question Ask students, "How does English spelling work?" "How are words built?" 2. Gather Evidence Have students brainstorm or hunt for words in books or on display or online. Challenge them to find longer words. 3. Look for Patterns Work with students to circle or underline which part of each word seems to show its main meaning. Tell them this is called the 'base'. Introduce students to the terms 'prefix' and 'suffix'. e.g. is a suffix because it goes after the base. is a prefix because it goes before the base. Ask students if they know of anything that happens to bases when adding prefixes or suffixes (e.g. doubling, dropping the , changing the to an ) . Do they know when to do each of these things? 4. Generalize / Hypothesize Tell students that there are set rules and patterns governing what happens when prefixes and suffixes are added to bases, and they will be learning to apply them in their spelling and writing. 5. Practice Work through the visual explanations and practice sheets in this resource. Each time, discuss the visual first to be sure students understand it, and then let them work independently.For the open-ended extension sheets, you might like to have students work together. 6. Extend Keep gathering more evidence to confirm or challenge the rules and patterns! There is always an explanation for any spelling - challenge your students to find it! Optional: Students complete open-ended post-assessment about their knowledge of why words are spelled the way they are. Enlarge the explanation visuals to use as posters or teaching aids, or project them on your screen. Then have students complete the practice sheets. Students (and you) will be amazed how 'easy' it is to get every word right (even the more difficult words), once they know the rule. These explanations and practice sheets are not 'cutesy' or 'babyish', so they're suitable for all ages. After your students have completed this lesson, encourage them to be on the lookout for more words and to investigate why they are spelled the way they are. You could even create an interactive Word Inquiry or spelling bulletin board for them to add their discoveries to throughout the year (post-it notes work really well for this). Ways to Use: Whole Class Teaching Focus on one spelling concept, pattern, or convention at a time. Enlarge each explanation page or project onto your screen. Have students complete the practice sheets afterwards. Individuals When students make a spelling mistake or ask you how to spell a word, you can now direct them to a poster explaining why the word is spelled the way it is, or remind them of the rules you have studied and the practice they have done. Small Groups Group students according to their spelling needs when you notice a few students making the same kinds of errors. Conduct mini-lessons using this resource. Display Set up a spelling or word study bulletin board - you and your students can add more examples to the display throughout the year, as you discover more words. Teachable Moments Seize each teachable moment during class read-alouds, science lessons, unit discussions, or any time an interesting word appears. Have students discuss what the word means (its etymology), how it is built (its morphology) and the letters used to represent how it sounds (its phonology). Add to a class word-study display or book. Links to resources for researching words are included. You can see more sample pages of this resource in the preview. Check it out to see more. _______________________ Credit: This English Orthography resource is informed by the work of Real Spelling. A link to the Real Spelling website with its collection of teaching units is included with the posters. The founder of Real Spelling is proudly dyslexic. My resources are hands-on, open-ended, inquiry-based, easy for teachers, and engaging for kids! You may also like: Spelling Rules Posters - 52 pages of visual explanations C, K, or CK Spelling Rules Lesson, Poster, and Practice Sheets CH or TCH Spelling Rules Lesson, Poster, and Practice Sheets Inquiry Homework and Parent Letter - Your Homework is 'Choose Your Homework' Creative Thinking - Open-Ended Tasks IB Learner Profile SONGS IB Learner Profile Dream-Catcher IB Learner Profile Units (Lessons and Activities) - PYP, MYP, DP IB PYP Key Concepts Mini-Units IB Learner Profile Blank Posters Songs for Kids - Reading routine songs, Seasonal Songs, and More Poems for Beginning Readers Fairy Tale Board Games Song Parodies and Teacher Editions Fun Breaks with Digital Spinners Digital Spinner Early Language Games Digital Spinner Math Games Back to School 100th Day Coming Soon: My other IB PYP Learner Profile Mini-Units and additional resources More Open-Ended, Inquiry-Based Learning Engagements for various subjects Follow Me if you'd like to receive updates when I add new products! As a 23-year veteran International School IB PYP teacher, former PYP Co-ordinator and School Visit Team Member, I focus on creating resources that are hands-on, open-ended, inquiry-based, easy for teachers, and engaging for kids! ©HOTLIB All rights reserved by author. For Single Classroom/Single Teacher Use Only. _______________________________ For more hands-on resources, Visit my TpT Store: HOTLIB Did You Know ? When you write a review on your TpT purchases, you earn FREE TpT credits! Go to your 'My Purchases' page and click on 'Leave a Review'. Every time you write a review, TpT gives you credits you can use for future purchases. Follow Me if you'd like to receive updates when I add more products to my store.