by Ashley Cobb

Brittany Selah Lee-Bey has lived and worked in Petworth teaching preschoolers with the Petworth Co-Op playgroup and participating as a member in a writing group at Petworth Library on how words work.

A close ally within the Petworth community, Brittany uses her background in literacy to help young (and older) readers understand reading through social media, videos and her book Etymology Rules: Back to Basics.

She decided to write a book on etymology and how words are created to help out children with their lack of exposure to phonics programs both in and outside of school. “After I started providing literacy intervention skills, I noticed that many students had difficulties with decoding and word reading,” she said.

The depth of knowledge needed for educators to provide this exposure seemed to be missing, and rather than turn a blind-eye to the issue, Brittany came up with the idea of the book, and later, a YouTube channel that she records with her niece.

“I decided to create a workbook for teachers and parents to build their word foundation knowledge,” she said. “Those who read Etymology Rules become word connoisseurs, which in turn helps children become word-conscious.”

Expressing the importance of building one’s vocabulary through “word consciousness,” Brittany said the ability to learn new words enhances a child’s vocabulary, allowing them to be open to a stronger academic world where they can flourish holistically.

Brittany’s book is really a workbook that, as she describes it, “Progresses from covering the smallest units in language to exploring the history of English words and their origins.”

Her book has been used for professional development for teachers and school-based staff, and can be used in any K-12 school setting, including as a homeschool tool, in conjunction with other forms of curricula. It can also be used by parents seeking to build their child’s literacy skills.

Brittany is invested in the growth of students literacy abilities and believes that “Reading and writing should be emancipatory acts,” (a quote from Linda Christensen) and “Once you learn to read, you will forever be free,” (a quote from Frederick Douglass).

Etymology Rules: Back to Basics can be purchased on Amazon or ordered from Loyalty Books right here in Petworth (shop local!).

You can follow Brittany on Instagram EtymologyRules and TikTok EtymologyRules, as well as her YouTube show The Etymology Rules Show.