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Backpocket Words: Sharing the Essence of English Spelling Paperback – 19 November 2021

by Gail Portnuff Venable (Author)

39

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The purpose of this book is to help you share the amazing logic and order of English spelling.

For the past decade, the author has been helping students to see that English spelling makes sense. By learning to investigate the structures and meaning of words in individual morphological families, students begin to unlock the secrets of the entire spelling system. They start to ask questions about why words are spelled the way they are.

Why is there an a in the middle of excavate, for example, or an e in pandemonium?
If “long O” is spelled oa in the middle of a word and ow at the end, why should they write ow in the middle of rowed?
Why is there an h in exhort but not in exorbitant?
Why do rhyming words like maze and days not end with the same spelling?

As they investigate, students gain confidence that the writing system holds answers to their questions. They see that they are capable of finding those answers through research. What a relief!

If you are doing this kind of work and want ideas that will help you share your enthusiasm with others, Backpocket Words was written for you. And if you are new to these concepts –a teacher, a tutor, a parent, or simply someone who is fascinated or frustrated by English spelling–you, too, will find entertaining and illuminating stories here.

Join the foot doctor at the wedding banquet as she looks inside the word “podiatrist,” the Apple tech support guy posing a spelling question he remembers from childhood, the young student understanding why he can’t spell “closet” with a z. Or sit with the author as she finally learns how to spell “chrysanthemum.”

The best way to communicate about spelling is to have a juicy word in your back pocket to talk about and a great story to tell. The 53 entries in this book contain some of the author’s favorites. Choose one and see where it leads.

Gail Venable is a speech-language pathologist and Orton-Gillingham-trained reading tutor. It was only in her 35th year of practice that she began to understand and share the beautiful coherence of English spelling.

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Print length

176 pages
Language

English
Publication date

19 November 2021
Dimensions

17.78 x 1.02 x 25.4 cm
ISBN-10

1940722101
ISBN-13

978-1940722108
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ One Monkey Books (19 November 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1940722101
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940722108
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 17.78 x 1.02 x 25.4 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 131,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 26 in Spelling (Books)
- 287 in Vocabulary Books

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Allaana

An accurate and elegant account of English spelling

Reviewed in Australia on 29 December 2021

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What a delightful book. Gail employs her wide-ranging knowledge of orthography to examine a collection of fascinating words and thereby reveal the structure and elegance of the English spelling system. There is enough in here to support a year of learning for the educator or independent student, but this is a text to read for pleasure as well as its utilitarian benefits. Gail's backpocket words are meant to be shared, to enlighten the giver as well as the receiver, and this spirit of scholarly generosity is something all aspiring orthographers will enjoy.

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Emily K.

Amazing and Entertaining Resource

Reviewed in the United States on 13 December 2023

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This is a beautiful book because it captures the many powers that understanding English orthography unleashes, and it especially captures the power of working with others to develop that understanding. Especially powerful for teachers, this book is also for everyone interested in the English language. Gail Venable's writing offers information in such a way that readers at all levels can interact with it meaningfully.

I often start a book from the back, and the first bit I encountered was "There is no necessary sequence for encountering orthographic concepts." How poetic. But also, what freedom lies in that truth?!? When we can let go of seeking a correct scope and sequence. Learning builds on itself! I laughed at "Lists Fall Apart," read the <rude> matrix with interest, and wished I'd had "Excivation?" when discussing phonics with "phonics first" absolutists in the past. Then I read "Spelling on Tech Support," which is just the most heartwarming story about how English spelling is a touchstone for speakers of English.

JM

A fantastic book for understanding the deeper structures of English spelling.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 December 2021

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For anyone who believes that English spelling is crazy, this book helps to dispel the myth. From her own reflections and experiences, the author uses word sums and matrices to show understanding of how words are structured – their spelling-meaning connections. If you have ever wondered why the word <sign> has a <g> in it, read page 45 'Sign' and you will never wonder again. On page 114 learn once and for all the spelling of the word <accommodate>. Written in an accessible and very readable style, the author shares her enthusiasm for investigating English spelling.

Kathy Hastings

Page after page of wisdom

Reviewed in the United States on 16 December 2021

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Gail Venable is the ultimate storyteller and literacy educator– graciously leading others to deepen their own understandings about the nature of written English. In “Backpocket Words”, Gail not only shares her wisdom and joy about the surprising words she has encountered, but she also invites everyone to learn alongside her – from her medical doctor to the tech support person. Each vignette not only uncovers an underlying principle about written English, but each story also provides the opportunity for readers to reflect and deepen their own understanding. Through Gail’s stories, she reveals the beauty, intricacy, and meaning at the core of the English spelling system.

2 people found this helpful

Mona Voelkel

A Treasure for Word Lovers!

Reviewed in the United States on 3 December 2021

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BACKPOCKET WORDS: SHARING THE ESSENCE OF ENGLISH SPELLING by Gail Venable is a triumph that illuminates the wonders of words. A conversation with her podiatrist and other vignettes yield deep understandings of over 50 words and their relatives. This delightful book brims with the author's love of words, understanding of spelling and good humor. There are so many discoveries and beautiful matrices to ponder within the pages of this book. Test your knowledge with Backpocket Puzzles! Perfect for word-lovers, classroom teachers, reading specialists or anyone who thinks spelling doesn't make sense.

4 people found this helpful

s

Wonderful book to explore spelling-meaning connections

Reviewed in the United States on 11 March 2022

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Backpocket Words is a great resource for any teacher, tutor, parent, or anyone who is interested in how the English spelling system really works. I felt as if Gail was right next to me sharing personal stories of how the spelling of words like "amphibian" and "privilege" make so much sense when you learn about the spelling-meaning connection. I found myself highlighting so many "aha" moments throughout the book. Gail's passion for sharing her knowledge really shines on every page!

2 people found this helpful

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