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
Classroom Libraries with Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:44
Shannon and Mary chat with Donalyn Miller & Colby Sharp about their recently published Common Sense Guide to Your Classroom Library. The reading teachers discuss how to set up and use the library to maximize its impact w…
the Schwa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:27
Shannon and Mary chat with Mindful Teacher Rachel about the Schwa vowel sound and how to teach it to students. She shares great stories from her classroom about teaching reading and all about her newly published book tha…
Our Favorite Literacy Resources [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:16
Shannon and Mary chat about their favorite free and low cost literacy resources to use in reading lessons and tutoring sessions. They share links to: complete phonics curriculum resources that include scope and sequences…
Supporting English Language Learners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:39
Mary and Shannon chat with Stephaney Jones-Vo about how to best support the reading needs of English Language Learners. Stephaney describes the differences in needs of ESOL students at various levels and provides easy id…
Season 5 Opener: New School Year, New Season of the Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:17
Shannon and Mary meet up after the summer hiatus to chat about going back to school. They catch up on their personal activities from the summer and then share their instructional plans for the new school year in 2022-202…
School Year and Season 4 Wrap Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:31
Shannon and Mary catch up on their teaching activities and personal lives during the past school year. They share highlights from the past season and what is coming next in Season 5 and the 2022-2023 school year.Episode…
Long and Short Vowels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:26
Shannon and Mary share some new understandings they've discovered about the differences between long and short vowels. They chat about how they'll modify some phonics activities for students after discovering these new u…
Differentiation for Different Readers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:38
Shannon and Mary chat with Nancy Young, the creator of the Ladder of Reading & Writing, about differentiated instruction for readers at different levels. [Note: Our podcast has explicit permission from Nancy Young to use…
Just Right Reading Books for Families and Students [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:16
Shannon chats with Sarah Rich, CEO of Just Right Reader, about her company that provides decodable readers to students, families, teachers, and schools. Sarah and Shannon talk about how decodable texts are important for…
Sound Walls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:41
Shannon and Mary chat with Christina Edmondson (@literacywithmrs.e) about implementing Sound Walls into your literacy classrooms. Christina shares how Sound Walls compare to traditional word walls and provides ideas for…