Word knowledge – the history and morphology of words

Overview

Too often with teachers, the relationship with the words you teach can be a superficial one. ""How do we say this word?"" ""What is the meaning of it?"" In this session, Ruth emphasises the importance of exploring the structure and history of the English language in order to give children a deeper and more significant link to those words. The goal of the video is to explore the subject knowledge that underpins our understanding of words and the way they work, relating this to practical classroom approaches to vocabulary development. While morphology and etymology are huge areas that can't possibly be covered in one video, Ruth conveys how essential they are to developing primary pupils' language.

Course Materials:

Presentation Slides - Download

.pptx file

Course Trainer

Former headteacher Ruth is now an independent education advisor, supporting schools, trusts and other organisations across the UK. She is currently chair of the National Association of Advisors in English (NAAE), an associate consultant for the National Literacy Trust (NLT) and a member of The United Kingdom Literacy Association's (UKLA) awards and members committee.

About the Course

This series of 8 units has been developed in partnership with The National Literacy Trust to help you develop a cumulative, rich vocabulary curriculum throughout your school. During this course, Ruth Baker-Leask will explore the research that underpins what we know about words and how they work, as well as the essential word knowledge that children need and practical strategies that you can embed into your teaching.