8.6 Deliberate Orthography

Shannon and Mary revisit the topic of Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) and discuss the importance of understanding the deliberate reasons for English spellings with guests Jennifer Petrich and Bradley Johnson. The conversation follows the hosts' and guests' experiences with SWI, detailing how it helps students understand and apply the structure of English spelling with its focus on word structures, etymology, and morphology. Emphasizing a shift from a phonics-only approach to one that also prioritizes morphology & etymology, the episode highlights the importance of starting with word meaning and developing scientific inquiry skills in literacy teaching. The journey into SWI is one of discovery, collaboration, & continuous learning. With the tools and strategies shared, educators can confidently embark on this path, helping their students gain a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry that is the English language. Join the conversation and dive into the world of SWI. Whether you're an educator, a parent, or a lifelong learner, there’s always more to uncover in the fascinating study of words. 01:01 Welcome to the RTL 01:44 Introduction to SWI 03:11 Meet the Guests: Jennifer Petrich and Bradley Johnson 04:25 Jennifer's Journey with Dyslexia and SWI 07:10 Bradley's Path to SWI 12:14 Explaining SWI to Teachers 21:59 Importance of Meaning & Morphology 34:25 Importance of Lifelong Learning 35:01 Introducing SWI 35:34 Overcoming the Fear of Not Knowing 36:12 Utilizing Curricular Modules and Materials 37:26 Inquiry-Based Learning in the Classroom 38:26 Developing Content Knowledge and Pedagogical Skills 40:33 The Role of Big Ideas in Teaching 42:43 Practical Applications and Teacher Experiences 43:18 Scientific Inquiry in Word Study 44:09 Integrating Phonics & Morphology 54:17 The Importance of Community & Collaboration 59:02 Final Thoughts & Resources RECOMMENDED RESOURCES RELEVANT TO THE EPISODE: The Literacy Doctor website One Step Now Education Dyslexia Training Institute Pete Bowers's website Our Season 7 episode with Dr. Peter Bowers about SWI The High Frequency Word Project book by Rebecca Loveless & Fiona Hamilton *Amazon affiliate link The Literacy Doctor weekly drop-ins (on Wed. ) Investigating English Spelling by Bradley Johnson and Jennifer Petrich *Amazon affiliate link Structured Word Inquiry in the Classroom (FB group) Marie Foley's course Support the show Get Literacy Support through our Patreon Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app Bonus episodes access through Patreon Buy us a coffee Get a FREE Green Chef box using our link