Which approach to structured language instruction supports the development of morphology in students?

• A. Provide explicit instruction on prefixes, suffixes, and root words
• B. Use only vocabulary flashcards
• C. Emphasize reading comprehension without morphology
• D. Teach handwriting before phonics

Answer: (A)

Morphology development is best supported through explicit instruction on prefixes, suffixes, and root words. When students learn how prefixes like un-, re-, or dis- change meaning, how suffixes such as -ly, -ed, or -ing signal tense or part of speech, and how root words carry the core meaning, they gain a toolkit for decoding and building words. This explicit, systematic approach helps students recognize word parts across texts, infer meanings of unfamiliar words, and spell more accurately by understanding how affixes alter form and meaning. In practice, teachers model morpheme analysis, provide guided practice with real words, and require students to apply what they’ve learned in reading, writing, and word study.

Using vocabulary flashcards alone teaches memorization of whole words without revealing how they’re formed or related, so it doesn’t build the underlying skill of morphological analysis. Focusing on reading comprehension without addressing word structure leaves students without tools to decode and understand unknown words. Teaching handwriting before phonics prioritizes letter formation over understanding word structure and sound-letter relationships, so it doesn’t develop morphology.