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

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Mary and Shannon are joined by Lindsay Kemeny, a returning guest and 1st grade teacher. Lindsay discusses her latest book and shares insights into structuring an effective literacy block. During the chat, Lindsay stresses the importance of routines, transitions, and frequent student responses in her data-driven instruction.  Lindsay also opens up about her personal journey, detailing how her son's struggles with dyslexia transformed her teaching methods. The conversation covers practical tips for teaching phonics, spelling, high-frequency words, and integrating content into literacy.  Listen to the episode to learn valuable tips for optimizing your reading instruction.

01:17 Welcoming Back Lindsay Kemeny
01:49 Lindsay's Journey and New Books
03:36 Implementing Literacy Block Changes
07:04 Structuring the Literacy Block
08:53 The Importance of Data and Intervention
21:09 Green Chef Sponsorship
22:07 Phonics and Spelling Integration
28:20 Reflecting on Classroom Data
28:39 Optimizing Lessons and Routines
35:06 The Importance of Student Responses
37:08 Focusing on Progress, Not Perfection
39:55 A Personal Journey with Dyslexia
52:36 Final Thoughts and Resources

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES RELEVANT TO THE EPISODE:

1. Our Season 6 episode with Lindsay: Best Reading Instruction Moves
2. Our Season 7 episode:  The Reading Team
3. Lindsay's website
4. Lindsay's podcast: Literacy Talks
5. Rock Your Literacy Block by Lindsay Kemeny *Amazon affiliate link
6. 7 Mighty Moves by Lindsay Kemeny *Amazon affiliate link
7. 7 Mighty Moves Reading Resources (companion book) by Lindsay Kemeny *Amazon affiliate link
8. Reading Rockets: An Example of the 90 Minute Reading Block
9. Ascend (Smarter Intervention):   How Do I Fit It All In?   
10. Reading Rockets:  What Does Your Literacy Block Look Like?  It Depends.
11. Timothy Shanahan:   How Would You Schedule the Reading Instruction?
12. Mississippi Dept of Ed:    Suggested Instructional Routines for Teaching Reading First Through Fifth Grade

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• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon
• Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
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Educator and author Erin Waters joins Shannon and Mary to discuss supporting the whole child through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Erin shares her teaching journey and highlights the crucial connection between SEL & literacy development—because our students aren’t just learning to read; they’re learning who they are. They explore what SEL looks like in real classrooms: morning meetings that build community, read-alouds that spark emotional awareness, and simple coping strategies that help students manage anxiety and stress. The discussion also acknowledges the lasting impact of the digital age and the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ social-emotional well-being, as more children than ever are navigating big feelings.Erin introduces her book Wally Is Worried as a relatable resource for helping children understand and express their emotions. Listeners will walk away with practical tools, recommended texts, and encouragement to make SEL an intentional part of everyday literacy instruction.

01:40 Special Guest: Erin Waters on SEL
03:06 Defining SEL and Its Importance
06:03 Real-World SEL Classroom Experiences
11:41 Impact of Digital Age on SEL
16:18 Post-COVID SEL Challenges
21:43 Coping Mechanisms and Solutions
39:16 Final Thoughts and Resources

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES RELEVANT TO THE EPISODE:

1. Wally is Worried by Erin Waters  *Amazon affiliate link
2. Our engagement episode
3. Our technology episode
4. Book list with SEL topics, curated by Love Grows Learning
5. Big Little Feelings blog
6. NEA (National Education Association):  SEL Resources
7. Reading Rockets:  Classroom Strategies that Support SEL
8. Reading with Relevance:   a CASEL-certified SEL supplemental program
9. CASEL.org
10. Centervention:   95 Social Emotional Learning Activities
11. Integrating SEL Into Your Reading Block 
12. Children's Institute:   SEL Resources and Tools
13. Erin Waters' website
14. Connect with Erin via IG

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• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
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In this episode, you're getting a preview of the types of conversations happening with educators in our bonus subscription episodes.   

This month, Shannon and Mary chat with Dr. Jasmine Rogers, a reading specialist and college educator, about her dual roles in literacy.   Dr. Rogers discusses her research on African American English (AAE) and structured literacy, emphasizing the importance of affirming behaviors in promoting student motivation and effective communication. Drawing on personal experiences and professional expertise, she emphasizes the importance of affirming diverse dialects, including Black English, and fostering an inclusive and supportive classroom environment. The episode also covers translanguaging and strategies for teachers to support multilingual students, highlighting the significance of creating a positive, inclusive, and affirming classroom environment.  Tune in to learn more about effective teaching practices, the science of reading, and how teachers can better support students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.


0:00 Welcome to the Reading Teacher Lounge

01:09 Introducing Dr. Jasmine Rogers

02:37 Understanding Black Language in Education

04:34 Research on Affirming Student Language

07:32 The Importance of Cultural Awareness in Teaching

13:55 Personal Experiences and Reflections

15:48 Journey into Structured Literacy

17:37 Merging Identity with Teaching Practices

22:14 Reflecting on Teaching Practices

23:03 The Power of Translanguaging

24:57 Effective Communication Techniques

26:55 Building Positive Classroom Environments

30:04 Supporting Teachers and Students

31:29 The Importance of Authenticity in Teaching

32:59 Insights from Research

36:12 Morphology and Language Learning

39:50 Final Thoughts and Farewells

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

1. Dr. Jasmine's website
2. Connect with Dr. Jasmine Rogers through her website
3. Connect with Dr. Jasmine Rogers through LinkedIn
4. 44 Phonemes Video from RRFTS (Rollins Center for Language and Literacy)
5. DC Public Schools Reading Clinic
6. Frayer Model
7. Strive for Five Conversations by Tricia Zucker and Sonia Cabell *Amazon affiliate link
8. Education Week:  What is Translanguaging and How Is it Used in the Classroom?

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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

In this special episode of the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon and Mary have an engaging and insightful conversation with acclaimed children's author Kate DiCamillo about treasured stories. They explore Kate's journey as a writer, discussing the profound impact of her debut novel 'Because of Winn-Dixie,' the themes of her books, and the role of animals in her stories. Kate shares her thoughts on writing with empathy, the importance of ending stories with hope, and the joy of reading aloud. Highlights include listener questions about vocabulary development and character inspirations, and Kate's reflections on the magical connection formed between readers and stories.

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:

1.  Ferris by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
2. Kate DiCamillo's website
3. Contact Kate via Candlewick Press
   
   Kate DiCamillo
   c/o Candlewick Press
   99 Dover Street
   Somerville, MA 02144
4. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
5. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
6. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
7. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
8. Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
9. Facebook page for Kate DiCamillo
10. Story resources for teachers
11. Mercy Watson Books by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
12. Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
13. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
14. our 6.16 Delightful Word Learning episode
15. Bookworms reading curriculum

• Buy us a coffee
• Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Free Rubrics Guide created by us
• Finding Good Books Guide created by us

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

In this special episode of the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon and Mary have an engaging and insightful conversation with acclaimed children's author Kate DiCamillo about treasured stories. They explore Kate's journey as a writer, discussing the profound impact of her debut novel 'Because of Winn-Dixie,' the themes of her books, and the role of animals in her stories. Kate shares her thoughts on writing with empathy, the importance of ending stories with hope, and the joy of reading aloud. Highlights include listener questions about vocabulary development and character inspirations, and Kate's reflections on the magical connection formed between readers and stories.

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:

1.  Ferris by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
2. Kate DiCamillo's website
3. Contact Kate via Candlewick Press
   
   Kate DiCamillo
   c/o Candlewick Press
   99 Dover Street
   Somerville, MA 02144
4. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
5. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
6. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
7. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
8. Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
9. Facebook page for Kate DiCamillo
10. Story resources for teachers
11. Mercy Watson Books by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
12. Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
13. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
14. our 6.16 Delightful Word Learning episode
15. Bookworms reading curriculum

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon

Shannon and Mary kick off the new season with reflections on how far the podcast has come, from family anecdotes to stories of former students thriving—like Rigby, a once-struggling reader now headed to college. They share practical tips for using Canva to teach morphology, highlight successes from their summer tutoring, and discuss balancing work, rest, and family life. Additionally, they unveil exciting plans to feature more teacher voices in the show through their bonus episodes, available to all subscribers.

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:

1. Mary's husband's band Cherokee Ave Project
2. Google form for teacher guests
3. Marie Foley Visuals Morphology class
4. Geodes decodables
5. Handwriting Without Tears
6. Bookworms
7. Amplify CKLA
8. Blossom & Root

• Buy us a coffee
• Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Free Rubrics Guide created by us
• Finding Good Books Guide created by us

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

Shannon and Mary kick off the new season with reflections on how far the podcast has come, from family anecdotes to stories of former students thriving—like Rigby, a once-struggling reader now headed to college. They share practical tips for using Canva to teach morphology, highlight successes from summer tutoring, and chat about balancing work, rest, and family life. Plus, they reveal exciting plans for bringing more teacher voices into the show through their bonus episodes available to all subscribers.

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:

1. Mary's husband's band Cherokee Ave Project
2. Google form for teacher guests
3. Marie Foley Visuals Morphology class
4. Geodes decodables
5. Handwriting Without Tears
6. Bookworms
7. Amplify CKLA
8. Blossom & Root

• Buy us a coffee
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Free Rubrics Guide created by us
• Finding Good Books Guide created by us

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon

In this August bonus episode of Reading Teacher Lounge, Mary and Shannon exchange insights on recent articles they've read. They dive into practical strategies for supporting students, especially those with ADHD. They discuss homework routines, communication between teachers and parents, and how to create structured homework environments. Mary shares guidelines from ADDitude and Edutopia on effective homework systems and collaboration between special education and general education teams. Shannon highlights a thought-provoking article from The Atlantic about Lucy Calkins' impact on the reading crisis, emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches and critical thinking in education. The episode concludes with helpful resources for teachers and parents.

00:00 Welcome to Reading Teacher Lounge

00:32 Diving into Advocacy and Action Items

01:34 ADHD Homework Strategies

05:46 Setting Up Homework Routines

13:34 Facilitating Collaboration in Special Education

19:23 Connecting with the Team Throughout the Year

19:55 Implementing the UFLI Curriculum

20:20 Functional Assessments and Monthly Check-ins

20:59 Advocacy Meetings and Solution-Oriented Approaches

21:27 Gamifying Literacy with Edutopia

23:34 The Atlantic Article on Lucy Calkins

32:10 Letters from Teachers on Reading Instruction

37:35 Subscription Hacks for Accessing Articles

39:31 Final Thoughts and Season Eight Preview

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

1. Rief, Sandra, M.A., and ADDitude Editors. “The ADHD Homework System We Swear By.” ADDitude Magazine (updated online June 19, 2025).
2. FREE ADHD Resource: Solve Your Child's Homework Problems
3. Ellison, Samantha. “4 Strategies to Facilitate Collaboration Across Special Education Teams.” Edutopia, 7 Aug. 2025
4. “3 Games to Amp Up Reading Instruction.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 25 July 2025
5. Lewis, Helen. “How One Woman Became the Scapegoat for America’s Reading Crisis.” The Atlantic, December 2024 issue (published online November 13, 2024).
6. “ ‘There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Reading Instruction’ — Readers respond to our December 2024 issue and more.” The Atlantic, March 2025 issue (published online February 18, 2025).
7. Reading Team episode 7.6
8. Engagement episode 7.12

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In this July 2025 Bonus episode of the podcast, Shannon and Mary explore Hugh Catts's article from American Educator about rethinking how to promote reading comprehension.   In this episode, we break down Hugh Katz’s summary from research and trends in the field.  We chat about how he shows that comprehension depends on interconnected knowledge and skills. We also touch on some additional points in Catts's article:   how traditional skills-based instruction falls short and how better-aligned assessments can transform comprehension outcomes. Listen to learn why background knowledge, academic language, and content-rich curricula are essential for student success. 

Catts, Hugh W. "Rethinking How to Promote Reading Comprehension." ​ American Educator, February 2015. ​

LINKS TO THE RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE:

1. Open Source link to: Catts, Hugh W. "Rethinking How to Promote Reading Comprehension." ​ American Educator, February 2015. ​
2. RISE:  Readiness through Integrative Science and Engineering
3. Disciplinary Literacy
4. Wit & Wisdom curriculum
5. CKLA curriculum
6. Model of Reading Engagement
7. Date Your Data episode from Season 6
8. Reading Universe
9. Read Works
10. LEAP 2025 Humanities: link 1
11. LEAP 2025 Humanities: link 2

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