“As early as 1924 researchers noted that growth in reading power relies on continuous growth in word knowledge.”
The National Reading Panel (2000)
"Research has consistently shown that morphemic awareness is strongly correlated with reading comprehension, and that the explicit instruction of morphemes, particularly those of Latin origin, enables students to decode and understand more complex texts."
Morphemic Awareness and Reading Comprehension: A Review of the Literature (2000)
What is a morpheme?
A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning within a word. It can be a whole word or part of a word, such as a prefix or suffix. For example, the word "transforming" has three morphemes: "trans," "form," and "-ing"
check out a few more examples…
Why is the focus on Latin morphemes ?
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Over 55% of English words are Latin based and these bases provide the main meaning of the word. Understanding Latin roots helps students decode unfamiliar words and expand their vocabulary.
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Having an understanding of morphemes - prefixes, suffixes and roots - enables children to break down complex words, making it easier to understand their meanings.
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Teaching Latin morphemes significantly enhances children's reading comprehension by giving them tools to decode unfamiliar words, recognize patterns, and grasp nuanced meanings in texts.
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Analyzing word structures promotes critical thinking and analytical skills, which are beneficial in all areas of learning.
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A better understanding of word formation helps improve writing clarity and creativity.
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An understanding of word formation fosters an appreciation for language, ant its evolution while promoting a deeper understanding of linguistics.
‘Explicit instruction of vocabulary is highly effective’ and instruction through authentic texts rather than isolated drills can help produce rich vocabulary.
The National Reading Panel (2000)
““Teaching morphemes such as prefixes, roots, and suffixes has a significant impact on reading comprehension by equipping students with strategies to break down unfamiliar words and deduce meaning from context.””