Orthographic Mapping - Explained!

If you've read anything about the science of reading, you've probably come across orthographic mapping. But what is it? Why should we care? And what are a lot of people getting wrong?
Oops! When showing the pronunciation of CAT, I should have put /k/ /a/ /t/, not /c/ /a/ /t/. In the interests of time, I'm not going to redo the video. But we typically represent the sound of the hard c with /k/.
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[@debradalessiobrown2678]

"Sight words are words that can't be sounded out" I can't tell you how many times I have heard that! The science of reading makes so much sense. Thank you for spreading the word. I am currently taking LETRS training and I already know much of the material thanks to your blogs and podcasts.

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

I know what you mean, Debra! When I started studying the research suddenly everything fell into place.

[@daniburtsfield4016]

Anna, I am so excited about your KZbin channel. I love how you present content to teachers clearly and in small bites - we don't have time for 30 minute videos! I always have such great takeaways from what you share.

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you so much, Dani! Your opinions and feedback mean a lot to me.

[@janellebilly-taitt8003]

Excellent presentation Anna. I have been following your website for over 8 years now. Your resources are the best. The decodable books will be great for me to use as reading intervention teacher at my school. I like that they are free. Great for teachers on a budget. Oh by the way I am from Trinidad and Tobago

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you so much for your feedback, Janelle - all the way from Trinidad and Tobago!

[@natashahaskins6514]

This video was awesome. It was straight to the point, easy to follow, and teacher-friendly. I love your resources. I have purchased your decodable books and can't wait to use them with my students! Thanks!

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you so much, Natasha!

[@jeannettewalsh7855]

Loved this! You keep everything short and to the point! High Quality! Thank you!

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you so much, Jeannette - that means a lot!

[@deboraholsen2504]

I am thoroughly AMAZED at how many years it took for people to come up with the term ORTHOGRAPHIC MAPPING and PHONEME GRAPHEME MAPPING!!! It is so, so very refreshing to experience the science of reading and have it explained! I used to CRINGE whenever I saw the word shape technique! I knew innately that we do not memorize words by their shape! We don’t have a logographic language!! We have a phonetic language, based on sound to letter association and letter patterns of the way words are spelled! Also, the “look at the picture” technique never rested well with me, because the student was not actually LOOKING at spelling patterns and mapping it in their brain with letter-sound-meaning associations. It was guessing by looking at a drawing! What would they do about chapter books later on? Anyway, since reading came naturally to me as a youngster and I knew I had automatically memorized many spelling patterns, onsets and rimes, etc., the “new” techniques, such as memorizing how words LOOKED just boggled my mind!! What about a word they’ve never seen before? How would they find out what it says on their own?? I just instinctively knew that children do not learn to read by these inferior techniques! Thank you for this very refreshing explanation of what REALLY happens when we learn to read!

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Hi Deborah! I think "orthographic mapping" has been around for a while, but it's only recently been something the everyday teacher knows about. Good for you for seeing through all the whole language and balanced literacy misunderstandings!

[@fionaglennjacobs6852]

What a wonderful video, thank you Anna! Your explanation of the key concepts is clear and succinct. Looking forward to your future KZbin contributions! 🙏😊

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you so much for the kind feedback!

[@ov1967]

This is why learning onset and rime patterns, the different types of syllables, and irregular words is so important together with phoneme-grapheme correspondence. Add the morphology to it!👍🏼

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Yes, learning those chunks is important too!

[@carolynsmith7317]

Thanks so much for this comprehensive explanation of orthographic mapping! NOW I understand!!! Thanks for all your resources as well!! I love them all!!

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you so much, Carolyn! It took me a while to get it!

[@betsytrouten4558]

THANK YOU for clearing up the phoneme/grapheme mapping or word mapping vs. orthographic mapping issue. I heard a guest on your podcast keep using it the wrong way and thought...oh, Anna's going to need to clear that up somehow. =) Here it is! Sharing this video with my building and district coach so that they might share it out to our staff! Thank you!

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Lol, it's definitely an easy thing to mix up! I try to be as clear as possible, esp. for people who are new. There's so much to keep straight that we don't need to add extra confusions!

[@beverleyethington7410]

Hi Anna, I first found your website a year ago. Then I started to listen to your podcasts a few months ago. Today I found out your on KZbin!!! This to me is so helpful because I am a visual leaner who is struggling how to go about helping our grandson learn to read. Our little guy is almost 7, and may be dyslexia, so he’s struggling as well. Just one bit of advice? 😊 Please slow down a little. I adjusted the speed of your video to a lower setting and it helped me to follow along better. What your doing is helping me understand what his teachers and tutor are talking about 🙃Your passion shines through in all your hard work. Thank you so much 💓

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thanks for your encouragement, Beverley! To be honest, this was me talking slow. I've been told I talk too fast my whole life. I will try to slow down though!

[@kemberlymaysolquio7013]

😮😮 My mind blows 🤯🤯🤯 but thanks for the explanation. Im slowly understanding it. Hoping for more videos of yours ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@maryannstassen7903]

Well done! So nice to have a place to send new teachers to learn some basics. You keep doing more-wow!

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you so much, Mary Ann!

[@LeOlamVaed]

You are so amazing and I appreciate the knowledge you share. Please make new videos!! Please and thanks

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

After I finish the book I'm writing, I hope to make many more videos!

[@tphakula4526]

I'm so happy you are on KZbin now

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you!

[@GeeMocktan]

Thank you so much❤

[@preschoolinspirations1875]

Such a great explanation, Anna!

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you, Katie!

[@barbaramain3176]

I am thrilled to find you on You Tube.

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thanks for watching, Barbara!

[@pamperry2473]

I remember when Dick and Jane books were frowned upon... I do appreciate your content

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

I would say that those are still frowned on by those who understand the science of reading. All those that I have seen are focused on teaching words as wholes (the look/say method) rather than teaching phonics patterns.

[@Listan1]

My daughter has a weakness in this area, resulting in a 5th percentile reading speed despite strong decoding and phonemic awareness. It’s so confusing and hard to know what would help her…and if we can help her.

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

If you send me an email I'd love to work through it with you! You can reach me at hello(at)themeasuredmom(dot)com.

[@AnilSingh-uk5ng]

Excellent !

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you, Anil!

[@triviathomas-hemans3773]

Awesome video. Quality content and video isn't too long 😅.

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

Thank you!

[@largede1]

Which book by Dr. Kilpatrick are you referring to at the start of this video?

[@annageiger-themeasuredmom]

It's "Equipped for Reading Success."