Research confirms that explicit spelling instruction shouldn’t stop in the early years. Instruction in phonology, orthography and morphology should continue and deepen as students move through middle and upper primary.

Designed for teachers with sound knowledge of systematic synthetic phonics as a foundation to literacy success, this workshop shows how morphology also plays a crucial role in shaping students’ ability to read and spell.

As students encounter increasingly complex, multisyllabic words and their vocabulary expands, morphological knowledge helps them move beyond purely phonetic spelling. It enables students to recognise meaningful parts of words and gain a deeper understanding of the English language. Grounded in current research, the workshop provides teachers with effective strategies for embedding morphology in daily classroom practice.

Who’s this for?

• educators who want to strengthen their understanding of morphology and learn how to translate this knowledge into effective teaching practices
• middle to upper primary classroom teachers, learning support teachers and teacher aides (Years 3–6)
• stage leaders, literacy leaders and curriculum coordinators

What’s covered?

• unpacking the components of morphology – understanding morphemes, prefixes, suffixes and Greek and Latin Roots, as well as knowing technical aspects (such as the difference between derivational and inflectional suffixes)
• key research that shows why morphological instruction is essential for strong literacy outcomes with a focus on its role in middle to upper primary
• how morphology connects with phonology, orthography and etymology as part of a complete word study approach
• understanding the curriculum and syllabus requirements for morphological instruction and where morphology sits as part of a broader literacy scope and sequence
• a brief history of the English language, and how it shaped the spelling system students encounter today
• how the Sound Waves Word Study resources support teachers to deliver explicit, systematic, evidence-based instruction that includes morphology

Length of workshop

This workshop runs for a minimum of 45 minutes to 60 minutes, and attendees will receive a Professional Learning certificate of participation.

Register now for this virtual session, or contact us if you have any questions.