8.6 Deliberate Orthography

8.6 Deliberate Orthography

Author: Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi January 9, 2026 Duration: 1:07:17

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:

  1. The Literacy Doctor website
  2. One Step Now Education
  3. Dyslexia Training Institute
  4. Pete Bowers's website
  5. Our Season 7 episode with Dr. Peter Bowers about SWI
  6. The High Frequency Word Project book by Rebecca Loveless & Fiona Hamilton *Amazon affiliate link
  7. The Literacy Doctor weekly drop-ins (on Wed. )
  8. Investigating English Spelling by Bradley Johnson and Jennifer Petrich *Amazon affiliate link
  9. Structured Word Inquiry in the Classroom (FB group)
  10. Marie Foley's course

Support the show



In the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both deeply professional and warmly familiar. These two elementary reading teachers and Atlanta neighbors discovered a shared, fervent passion for literacy over a local dinner, realizing they were kindred spirits in their mission. That initial chat never really ended, and now it forms the heart of this podcast. Each episode invites you into their ongoing dialogue, where practical classroom strategies, reflections on what works, and thoughtful discussions about reaching every single learner are all on the table. It’s a space designed for fellow educators, dedicated parents, and anyone invested in how children learn to read, offering tangible ideas rather than abstract theory. The tone is collaborative and grounded in real classroom experiences, reflecting a joint belief that literacy is foundational. By tuning in, you gain access to their collective experience and earnest curiosity, all focused on the complex, rewarding world of teaching reading. This isn't about performance; it's about sharing a genuine professional conversation from their lounge to yours, making the Reading Teachers Lounge a unique podcast for those who live and breathe language education.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 129

Reading Teachers Lounge
Podcast Episodes
the Comprehension Process [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:22
Shannon and Mary wrestle with understanding the nature of the comprehension process. They discuss ideas from the Blueprint for Reading Comprehension and Executive Skills and Comprehension to understand the different cogn…
Best Reading Instructional Moves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:57
Shannon chats with Lindsay Kemeny about her new book titled 7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-3 Reading Success. Both Shannon and Lindsay have classroom experience teaching Kinderga…
We Love Mistakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:31
Shannon and Mary talk about why they love student mistakes. They share how to make mistakes meaningful in the ways they show insight into students' learning. They chat about establishing a trusting relationship with stud…
Intervention in the Upper Grades [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:07
Shannon and Mary meet with Kionna Squires (@DaLiteracyLady) to talk about the challenges facing older struggling readers. During the discussion, they explain how meeting students where they are IS rigorous and the right…
Etymology and Orthographic Study [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:45
Shannon and Mary host a returning guest to the Reading Teachers Lounge @MindfulTeacherRachel, who you heard in Season 5 on the Schwa episode. In this episode, Shannon, Mary, and Rachel talk about English word histories a…
Back to School Reflections and Plans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:06
Shannon and Mary meet again to begin the 6th season of the podcast. They recap their summer activities in both professional and personal lives, update the audience on the plans they're making for their reading students t…
Summer Reading Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:26
Shannon and Mary bring you a surprise bonus episode for Season 5. They chat with Dr. Amanda Alexander from Scholastic about statistics about summer reading. In the episode, they all share tips about how to make the most…
Season 5 Finale:   Ends & Beginnings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:16
Shannon and Mary meet up to review how season 5 of the podcast has gone. They share some of the things they learned during the season and list some of their favorite episodes and guests. They also chat about the school y…
Teaching and Reaching Diverse Learners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:47
Shannon and Mary chat with Khadijah Abdullah, a public school teacher in their area, about how she balances the wide variety of reading abilities in her classroom. Khadijah shares about her trauma-informed teaching pract…