Bowers, P.N., & Kirby, J. R. (2010)
Unlike traditional word games, SAYWORD!®️ enhances vocabulary by teaching the decoding of words through morphology and etymology. Morphemes, such as prefixes and suffixes, are fundamental units in English words. They extend and alter the meaning of root words to which they are attached. Root words themselves can often be dissected into smaller roots, a process known as etymology. Understanding the etymology of morphemes allows us to uncover deeper meanings in familiar words and decipher unfamiliar ones.
For instance, take the word “TELEVISION,” composed of three morphemes: TELE, VIS, and ION. Translated individually as “DISTANT,” “SIGHT,” and “STATE OF,” respectively, the word "television" crudely translates to “the state of distant sight” or “seeing from a distance.” Developing morphological awareness not only enhances vocabulary acquisition but also surpasses basic phonics, significantly accelerating learning.
Apel, K., & Diehm, E (2014)
Traditional methods of learning to read often rely on memorization and repetition, which can be challenging given the complexity of the English language, comprising over 170,000 words with multiple meanings. SAYWORD!®️ offers a revolutionary approach to enhancing reading and comprehension skills rapidly.
SAYWORD!®️ simplifies the decoding of words with its unique set of cards, each capable of decoding over 10,000 words. For instance, understanding that the root “LEG” signifies “speak, say, the word, the law” allows partial decoding of more than 1,000 words. Similarly, grasping the meaning of “LOG” unlocks partial definitions for over 5,000 words. With 144 cards, SAYWORD!®️ enables users to construct every English word in an engaging, game-like format.
Playing SAYWORD!®️ regularly can:
When it comes to literacy, SAYWORD!®️ is a transformative tool. Let’s embark on mastering thousands of words together!
SAYWORD! aligns seamlessly with the Science of Reading, encompassing essential components vital for developing proficient reading skills. Central to this approach is morphology, the study of how words are structured and formed from morphemes—the smallest units of meaning.
Morphology plays a critical role in literacy by empowering readers to decode unfamiliar words, grasp their meanings, and discern how words transform to convey different contexts or grammatical functions. This understanding significantly enhances vocabulary growth, reading comprehension, and overall literacy proficiency.
Integrating SAYWORD! into reading instruction provides invaluable support to students in navigating complex words, improving spelling, and enhancing fluency. By exploring prefixes, suffixes, roots, and their combinations, students can efficiently comprehend and retain new vocabulary, fostering effective reading habits across various subjects.
In education, scaffolding refers to providing structured, progressively challenging tasks to students, aiming to foster independent understanding. SAYWORD!®️ incorporates scaffolding directly into its gameplay. By progressing through levels of increasing difficulty—KNOCKOUT, BOX, STACK & STEAL—players enhance their understanding and awareness of etymology and morphology.
This structured approach ensures that each game session builds on previous knowledge, strengthening students' ability to decode words and comprehend their meanings. Incorporating SAYWORD!®️ into lessons supports a structured pathway to literacy development, promoting deeper engagement and skill advancement among learners.
KNOCKOUT transforms how your brain organizes vocabulary by focusing on meaning rather than context. Typically, our brains categorize words like shirt, cap, pant, and sweater based on context. In KNOCKOUT, players learn to access words through word families—groups sharing common morphemes and etymological roots.
Introducing KNOCKOUT to students, especially those under 10 years old, is best done in teams using the FREE PLAY rules. This approach fosters collaborative learning and reinforces vocabulary development in a structured, engaging manner.
The BOX game enhances vocabulary by linking multiple word families. Building on the foundation laid by KNOCKOUT, BOX challenges players to recall words that share two or more word families. This encourages exploration of roots and often leads to the discovery of new words. Introducing wild cards fosters creativity, while the concept of bluffing adds an exciting element to the SAYWORD! game.
STACK & STEAL encourages exploration through constructing and reconstructing new words. With proficiency in encoding and decoding, players build increasingly complex words and challenge their intellect against peers. Each drawn card prompts players to reconsider and adjust previously created words. The game also promotes skills in bluffing, stealing, challenging, and debating, fostering development in logic and social-emotional learning.
In-person gameplay promotes social-emotional learning (SEL) through various interactive and cooperative elements intrinsic to gaming experiences. SAYWORD! is engaging and require players to communicate, negotiate, and problem-solve together. This fosters interpersonal skills such as empathy, and conflict resolution.
SAYWORD! involves rule-following and fair play, which cultivates self-regulation and responsible decision-making. Players learn to manage emotions like frustration and excitement within a structured environment, enhancing emotional resilience.
As students play SAYWORD!, they learn to cope with both success and failure graciously. This builds empathy towards others' experiences, nurtures friendships, and creates a sense of belonging. These connections contribute significantly to emotional well-being and overall social development.
SAYWORD! serves as a powerful platform for SEL, integrating cognitive, emotional, and social skills crucial for navigating interpersonal relationships and succeeding in diverse social contexts.
A game of words, wisdom, bluffing, and balderdash! Get ready to build words, break words, and fake out your friends. This is the most fun way to upgrade your intellect. You will never look at words the same way again...
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