The PD Exchange

Introduction to Structured Word Inquiry

Part of NCTCA 2026
Friday 6 February 2026·4:00 pm

Why is there a w in "two"? Why don't we spell "does" like "duz"? How can we expect correct spelling from students when English is so full of crazy exceptions? Or is it possible that the English spelling system actually makes perfect sense? This session will introduce Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) and show how we can use it to find logic in spelling by teaching morphology, etymology, orthography, and phonology. These all work together to prove that our spelling system makes sense. Leave with lesson ideas for incorporating these concepts with your students.

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