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Structured Literacy Meets Inquiry-Based Learning

Structured literacy provides direct and systematic instruction to build a strong foundation for reading and writing. Inquiry-based learning invites wonder, creativity, and ownership. When we combine the precision of literacy instruction with the deep engagement and agency of students’ wonders, they not only gain the skills to decode text but also the confidence to interpret, imagine, and create meaning from it.

The Power of Dyslexic Thinking

“Dyslexic Thinking” is a term that is taking off in the workplace and in many educational settings. It represents a cluster of cognitive strengths often found in learners with dyslexia. In my work with Landmark teachers, I’ve seen these strengths shine through: a student who visualizes an idea before putting it into words, another who imagines a new way to solve a problem, or one whose empathy turns a book discussion into a shared human experience.

These learners often excel in exploring, imagining, visualizing, communicating, reasoning, and connecting—skills that mirror the very dispositions of powerful inquirers. When we design instruction that honors both precision and play—explicit phonics lessons leading into exploration—we amplify those innate gifts. We help students move beyond overcoming barriers to discovering what propels them forward.

Questions sit at the heart of inquiry. They launch learning, frame thinking, and invite students to move beyond surface understanding toward meaning-making and discovery. When teachers intentionally model curiosity and create space for students to generate their own questions, learning transforms from something delivered to something co-constructed—guided by skill, yet driven by wonder.

This idea comes to life in Landmark’s cultural norm of Exploration: “Ask more. Discover more.” Similarly, it’s found in Mount Vernon’s Mantra “Start with Questions.” These are simple phrases that capture the heart of what inquiry-based learning can be—an intentional blend of structure and curiosity. I’ve seen how structure sparks—not stifles—curiosity. Each time a student asks a deeper question about a story, a pattern, or a word, they’re building toward independent application of skills. Precision gives them the tools. Inquiry gives them the purpose.