Orthographic Mapping Strategies

Orthographic mapping can be taught with a variety of multi-sensory approaches. Sedita (2020) describes the discovery of several skills that must be present in order for orthographic mapping to take place. Students should be highly proficient in phonological and phonemic awareness. They should have automatic letter-sound correspondence. They should also be able to decode and blend sounds efficiently. The following activities engage students in these processes and activate the brain to prepare for orthographic mapping.

Sound Boxes

Students can use sound boxes to write the individual graphemes of a word. Students may also tap or manipulate tiles or counters to show the individual sounds within a word.

Sensational Sand

While using sensational sand, the teacher calls out a word and students form the letters representing the graphemes in the sand as they say the sounds. Then, they connect the sounds together by reading the entire word aloud. 

Blending and Popping Sounds

                                                    

Students can use sound circles and wands to write graphemes, say them, then connect the sounds by running their wand across the word before reading the word. Afterwards, they can use a pop it toy to pop each grapheme in the word. 

                                                              Interactive Blending Boards

Teachers may use interactive blending boards, made through Google Slides, or any presentation platform to teach orthographic mapping. Students watch the icon, in this picture above the icon is the dancing puppy. The students say the grapheme that the icon is currently beside until they finish saying all graphemes. At the end, they read the word.

References 

Sedita, J. (2020). The role of orthographic mapping in learning to read. Keys to Literacy. https://keystoliteracy.com/blog/the-role-of-orthographic-mapping-in-learning-to-read/