Spelling is not a matter of visual memory; it is the visual representation of language. This session tracks the developmental trajectory of spelling from the primary grades through upper elementary, showing how early speech-to-print foundations evolve into advanced structural word study. In the first half of the session, we will focus on the primary orthographic pathway (Grades K–2). In the second half, we will shift to the intermediate grades (Grades 3–5) to explore the morphological advantage. Because English orthography is patterned by both sound and meaning, we will demonstrate how teaching meaning-bearing word parts stabilizes spelling for older students including sound-mapping frameworks and morphological matrices strengthen spelling.
What does the Science of Reading say about teaching high-frequency words? How does that fit with 95 Core Phonics? In this session we will explore the why, how, and when of teaching high-frequency words with beginning readers.
