About the resource
Know Your Words is a grade 5 classroom resource that focuses on developing students’ knowledge and skills to decode and make meaning of multisyllabic words through morphology, syllabication, Greek and Latin roots, and using context for meaning.
Topics
Know Your Words goes beyond morphology to include:
- Vocabulary development
- Background knowledge
- Reading comprehension
- Review of sound-spelling patterns
- Word study
- Fluency
- Language conventions
- Spelling
- Writing
Components
Student Book
The 88-page student book includes:
- Units focused on 4 skills areas: prefixes and suffixes, syllabication, Latin and Greek roots, and using context for meaning
- 2- or 4-page selections written by Canadian authors, with 6–8 selections in each unit, as well as a unit overview to introduce the unit focus and a final selection to consolidate learning
- A variety of engaging fiction, non-fiction, and poetry texts with cross-curricular connections
- Selections created by diverse authors, Indigenous authors, and student voices
Browse the Table of Contents
Download PDF
Teacher’s Guide
The Teacher’s Guide provides:
- Explicit instruction of the focus concept for each lesson
- Support to develop comprehension skills, develop vocabulary, and build background knowledge
- Instructional support for fluency, sound-spelling patterns, word study, language conventions, and writing
3-Part Lesson Plan
PART 1
Before reading
Overview of the lesson: word focus, content words, printables, word lists, and mini-lessons. Explicit instruction is focused on word knowledge and skills for each unit: Prefixes and suffixes, syllabication, Latin and Greek roots, and using context for meaning.
PART 2
Focus on reading comprehension
Read the text to apply and practise the word skills for the lesson and to apply comprehension strategies. Includes teacher background information, pronunciation guide, and Before, During, and After reading strategies.
PART 3
Practice and Apply
Apply word knowledge and skills with teaching and learning activities for Know My Words Notebook, guided spelling, sound-letter patterns, and word study. Develop writing skills with instructional support for language conventions, traits, writing processes, and text forms and structures.
Companion Website for Teachers
Website includes additional instructional tools for teachers:
- Projectable versions of each text for instruction and shared reading
- Second version of text that highlights unit focus
- Printable activities
- Word lists
- Mini-lessons
- Assessment tools
- Comprehensive framework of texts
- Additional resources
Browse the Instructional Framework
Download PDFSample section
Explore the Know Your Words resource
Student Book Word Origins: auto, bio, chrono spread
Teacher Guide Word Origins: auto, bio, chrono Lesson Plan and Activity Pages
Jennette MacKenzie, MEd
Jennette MacKenzie, MEd is an educator with experience as a classroom teacher, school librarian, district consultant, and principal of curriculum and professional development for elementary and secondary schools.
Jennette is the senior author of several leading series used by teachers and students across the country and frequently provides professional development for schools, school districts, and provinces.