Acknowledgements
The Online Etymology Dictionary: https://www.etymonline.com/
Before we tell you about ourselves we’d like to acknowledge our major reference source used for the information in Tell the Tale: the incredible Etymonline. Our gratitude to Doug Harper for researching and compiling this easily-accessible, reliable, free resource that knows no bounds. We have included the briefest of information in the hope it will spur you to look more deeply into the tale of the word and find out the twists and turns it has taken as it’s made it’s way to present-day English. At the very least by telling your students where this word was ‘born’ and the original sense of it, you will be building their understanding that words have stories.
This resource is used by teachers and students around the world on a daily basis, and that he is working so hard to keep it open and free is truly a such a generous and selfless act. If you would like to support the work, done in his ‘spare’ time, I know it is always gratefully received.
Make a donation, or become a Patreon supporter for additional content.
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Of course we have lots of you to thank for your support and suggestions as we have compiled searchENGAGE. This project is the result of the many, many times we have been asked to develop a way for you to search so you can find the picture books that lend themselves to your word study of the week.
About us
Fiona Hamilton
I have been working with both Angela and Lauren for a few years now as I am helping to embed Word Inquiry into the culture and curriculum of their respective schools. Although I had come to know them both, they didn't really know each other much at all before we began this journey. However, our mutual love of children's literature, a desire to support teachers to better understand our orthography so they can empower our students to become 'word noticers and word knowers', along with the constant questions we get about what are some great books to use, led us to decide on this project. We now spend quite a bit of time together discussing books and talking word inquiry!
I have worked in Asia since the early ‘90s after beginning my teaching career in Australia. I run wordtorque, offering professional development workshops and instructional coaching in orthographic inquiry. Prior to this I have had the good fortune to be both an administrator in various international schools as well as teach Grade 1 through Grade 5, write some children’s books, be a learning support specialist, and coach teachers in literacy strategies. I have an MEd (administration) and an MEd (literacy) as well as Literacy Coaching certification.
Rebecca Loveless and I have collaborated to produce The High Frequency Word Project, an explicit and systematic approach to studying 100 high frequency words. https://www.thehfwproject.com
Lauren Hateley-Crowe
I am currently a Vice Principal of Elementary at NIST International school in Thailand. I have been a lower elementary teacher, language coordinator and literacy consultant at schools in Australia, the UK, Hong Kong and Switzerland. On the off chance, I have some free time, you'll find me reading books, usually picture books or historical fiction. I love spending time with husband Adam and our daughters, Matilda and Abi. We love travelling, family movie nights and eating dumplings. I also love baking and cooking with my Thermomix and that is where you will usually find our beagle Baxter, sitting at my feet, waiting for any tasty morsels to drop to the floor as I bake.
Word inquiry came to my attention when Fiona came to our school about five years ago to conduct a workshop. My interest was piqued right away and I eagerly took my limited knowledge back into the classroom to dive into with my students. I loved that we were truly involved in the inquiry process together, as I was learning alongside them and had just as many wonderings. I love that now I can never just pass by a word without wanting to discover more about it and it makes my heart happy that books provide the perfect place to go looking. I believe everything can be taught through a good book!
Angela Brienza
I am an elementary educator who is enthusiastic about books and the positive impact they have in the lives of children. I have gathered experience and engaging books in my time teaching in Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and now at the United Nations International School in Hanoi, Vietnam. The majority of my teaching career has been spread across both younger and older students in Kindergarten and Grade 5. I now work as the Literacy Coach, working with teachers of 3 year olds to 11 year olds in an international setting. This role has allowed me much insight into the wonderful practices and innovations of so many inspiring teachers and provided me with the opportunity to talk books on a daily basis!
Outside of school I am mom to two growing girls and wife of another primary educator. As a family we enjoy travel (even packing!) and experiencing other countries and also exploring our home countries of Canada and Australia. You will find me with a book - historical fiction, picturebook, notebook or cookbook, a range of coloured pens, something spicy and a cup of tea.
I am not a natural word inquirer. I loved books and writing and fought against spelling - it just didn’t come easily to me. Once I started word inquiry as an adult after almost 15 years teaching, I realised there was rhyme and reason to words. I discovered there was a system worth investigating, hypothesizing about, discussing and sharing with students and I was ready to be part of that process. I am constantly learning and asking questions and am so lucky to be learning alongside Fiona, Lauren and you.