'Foundations' Series Aims To Boost Elementary Reading Comprehension
Education developer Dynamic Literacy has released Foundations, the latest series in its WordBuild Vocabulary Development System. Foundations teaches "morphics," a term the company uses to differentiate its morphological instruction from phonics-based approaches. The system is targeted toward students in grades 3 through 5, though it can also be used in interventions for students in grades 6 and up.
Foundations is aimed at improving vocabulary, language, and reading comprehension in students and combines student activity books, curriculum materials, and software for teachers. It focuses on teaching students the meanings of common morphemes to help them figure out the meanings of words they might otherwise be unfamiliar with.
"Foundations impacts student achievement across the curriculum," said Kristen Williams, elementary language arts coordinator for Albemarle County Public Schools, in a statement released Wednesday. "The lessons and activities teach students how to pull words apart, and learn the meanings of those individual parts. In subjects such as math and science where students are often faced with complex words, Foundations provides them with the confidence to stop and derive the meaning based on the knowledge they've gained from the WordBuild Vocabulary Development System.
"Every year we work to close the achievement gap among our students," she continued. "A common factor that sets our students apart is their vocabulary skills. We can't control the amount of language practice students receive at home, so it's our responsibility to ensure students receive the vocabulary instruction they need to comprehend language found in academic texts."
Foundations includes two years' worth of vocabulary instruction. It's available now for $99 per teacher for software and instructional materials and $5.95 to $9.95 for individual student activity books.
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About the author: David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com.
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