Glossary
Orthographic mapping
Orthographic mapping is the mental process of connecting each sound in a word to the letters that spell it, so the spelling is stored and the word is then recognized instantly.
Readers do not store words as pictures or shapes. Each time a student sounds out a word and links its sounds to its letters, the connection gets stronger, until the word is read at a glance. That is why it depends on phonemic awareness and letter-sound knowledge, and why those are taught first.
Why it matters for the record
A student who still sounds out a word they have read many times may need more work on the sounds inside it, not more repetitions of the word.
Rate each skill as you teach it
Needs support, Developing, Secure. The rating schedules the review and builds the report.