Big Words for Young Readers Teaching Kids in Grades K to 5 to Decode—and Understand—Words With Multiple Syllables and Morphemes

Phonics instruction shouldn’t end when students can decode short words. From an early age, they also need to be able to decode “big words”—words with multiple syllables (sound units) and morphemes (meaning units)—to read proficiently. The key is to teach them systematically and explicitly, in developmentally appropriate ways. That’s where this book comes in. Dr. Heidi Anne Mesmer shares essential background on how language “works,” provides a K–5 scope and sequence to guide practice, and offers abundant research-backed strategies that teachers can put into action immediately.

Heidi Anne Mesmer, PhD, is a professor of literacy education at Virginia Tech. Her research, grant-funded programs, writing, and consulting focus on beginning reading materials, text difficulty, phonics, and struggling readers.