Morphology Matters: Supporting Reading, Spelling & Vocabulary

Morphology Matters: Supporting Reading, Spelling & Vocabulary

Unlock the power of morphology to transform literacy instruction! This engaging session highlights how explicit morphology instruction strengthens reading, spelling, and vocabulary for upper elementary and secondary students. Discover research-backed strategies for selecting morphemes, choosing target words, and designing activities that connect meaning, spelling, and pronunciation. Learn how to integrate the morphological, phonological, orthographic, syntactic, and semantic components of language into cohesive, engaging routines. Walk away with practical tools and inspiration to make morphology instruction meaningful, effective, and fun.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Explain the role of morphology in developing reading, spelling, and vocabulary skills for upper elementary and secondary students.
• Apply research-based strategies for selecting morphemes and target words to support students’ linguistic and literacy development.
• Integrate multiple language components—morphological, phonological, orthographic, syntactic, and semantic—into cohesive, effective literacy routines.
• Evaluate and adapt morphology instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, making lessons both meaningful and enjoyable.

• Implement practical tools and routines to promote long-term word learning and comprehension.

About Your Speaker

Mary McFarlin, M.A., C-SLDS

Mary McFarlin, M.A. C-SLDS has spent nearly 20 years supporting students through structured literacy. Before entering education, she worked with youth in residential treatment and the juvenile justice system. Her original structured literacy training was through the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD), and she is now a CERI-Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist. In 2024, Mary published The Morphology Kit, a comprehensive set of lessons and activities based on common Latin morphemes in English. She also moderates the Facebook group The Morphology Teacher’s Hub.