Following a successful pilot program in 2025, John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School has expanded the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation’s Word Origins Program across all Year 3 to 6 classes in 2026. The expansion reflects the School’s commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction and supporting student learning growth.
Initially trialled in a Year 3 classroom last year, the program delivered immediate and encouraging results. Students demonstrated stronger vocabulary knowledge, improved spelling, and greater confidence in reading and writing. The success of the pilot has since seen Word Origins become a key component of literacy learning across the middle and upper primary years.
At the heart of the Word Origins approach is explicit teaching of morphemes including prefixes, suffixes and root words, to help students decode and understand unfamiliar vocabulary. Students also explore etymology, examining the origins of words and how their meanings have evolved over time. This structured approach not only strengthens literacy skills but also encourages curiosity and deeper engagement with language.
Research suggests that understanding word structure and origin, supports vocabulary retention and accurate use. Teachers have observed students making stronger connections between words, identifying patterns, and applying their knowledge with increasing confidence in both reading and writing. Spelling improved, but so did comprehension.
Student engagement has been a significant outcome of the program’s expansion. Through discussion, inquiry and discovery, transforming vocabulary learning into an interactive experience. Students take pride in uncovering the ‘story’ behind words, building a strong sense of ownership and motivation.
The success of Word Origins highlights the value of teaching language in a meaningful, structured way. It has strengthened literacy outcomes and encouraged a genuine love of words among students, as well as growing staff enthusiasm as the program expands across the school.
