Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) is a student-led methodology that uses an investigative process to help build spelling skills. It delves into how words are connected through history (etymology), structure (morphology) and parts (orthography: bases, affixes, vowels, morphemes and more). Through this process students discover the meaning of words, affixes, word parts, word families through examining the history of words and their spelling. SWI focuses on understanding patterns are steeped in meaning. SWI is a structured approach to learn vocabulary and improve spelling within context.
All too many times, I’ve seen spelling taught as memorizing word lists that are made of similar word patterns without giving students any instruction into why these patterns exist and what they mean. What typically results from spelling taught this way is short-term memorization and no real understanding of spelling within the English language.
SWI helps students make connections, ask questions, form hypothesis, learn the history of the English language, create word families, understand and apply affixes in a student-led process to improve spelling and vocabulary within the English language.
My Learning Farm applies the SWI methodology across several spelling frameworks.
If your child is a struggling speller, please reach out to My Learning Farm at www.mylearningfarm.com