Reading Teachers Lounge

7.11 Structured Word Inquiry

Listen

Description

Dr. Pete Bowers shared how Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) transforms spelling and vocabulary into tools for deep thinking - perfect for engaging advanced and struggling readers in the elementary reading classroom. 
We encourage the listeners to also check out this episode on YouTube to learn from the visuals Dr. Bowers shared during the discussion (link is at the top of the show notes).


RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:

  1. Our Youtube link to the episode
  2. Pete Bower's Word Works Kingston website:  See MANY helpful links at the bottom of the page.   We use this homepage as a hub for SWI information.
  3. Dr. Bowers' Monday 5 pm EST office hours link
  4. Real Spelling Toolbox
  5. Active View of Reading Duke, Cartwright, 2021
  6. Homophone Principle - described in this lesson
  7. David Share:  Self teaching 
  8. "Decoding the brain's dictionary: Scientists map how neurons encode word meanings" from Bigthink.com
  9. Spelling Out Orthography demonstration video from Dr. Bowers
  10. Document describing a SWI hunt for all the jobs of the final, non-syllabic <e>
  11. Video from Dr. Bowers with Marie Foley about The Nested Combinatorial Nature of English Spelling
  12. 2025 Reading League  presentation from Dr. Bowers about Morphological Instruction and Language Comprehension
  13. Upcoming SWI Training in June 2025 with Pete Bowers and Rebecca Loveless
  14. Upcoming 4 day in-person training with Dr. Bowers in July 2025 on Wolfe Island
  15. Structured Word Inquiry: An Implementation Guide for Teachers by Jennifer A Constantine and Kara B Lee *Amazon affiliate link
  16. Teaching How the Written Word Works by Peter Bowers (via www.wvced.com Store)
  17. de Jong et al. “Let’s Talk Evidence – The Case for Combining Inquiry-Based and Direct Instruction.” Educational Research Review, vol. 39, 2023

Support the show