I learned about orthographically mapping irregular words when I attended the TCRWP Dyselxia Institute. They provided us with a routine for mapping irregular words. A few days ago, I tried it out with Ari. So far, we’ve mapped three sight words that he’s found tricky: here, said, and is.
The shutter is about to click!
This morning, during lowercase handwriting practice, I noticed Ari putting his hands up to his temples after he wrote the word here.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m taking a picture so I remember how to write this word,” he replied.
“Didn’t you already take a picture of it last week?” I pondered.
“I did. I’m taking another picture of it so I can really remember,” Ari said.
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I am a literacy consultant who focuses on writing workshop. I've been working with K-6 teachers and students since 2009. Prior to that, I was a fourth and fifth-grade teacher in New York City and Rhode Island.
I'm the author of Craft Moves (Stenhouse Publishers, 2016) and the co-author of Jump Into Writing (Zaner-Bloser, 2021), Welcome to Writing Workshop (Stenhouse Publishers, 2019), and Day By Day (Stenhouse, 2010).
I live in Central Pennsylvania with my husband and children. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, doing Pilates, cooking, baking, making ice cream, and reading novels.
View all posts by Stacey Shubitz
I’ve never heard of teaching orthographic mapping – I’m going to have to look into that – but I love Ari taking a (second) picture with his mind so that he can remember. ❤
There’s quite a bit out there on it. I believe it I believe it’s a term that’s been around for years. As an upper elementary person, it wasn’t something I ever did. But nowadays, I teach preschool! (There won’t be an encore. First and last time teaching anyone below K.)
Like Amanda, I need to look up orthographic mapping. Bravo to Ari for “taking a picture” of “here.” I’m both fascinated and deeply touched by this tender moment of learning.
He prefers math to ELA so getting him to do this took some effort. He gets such satisfaction out of recognizing words. Maybe it’s time… (I don’t want to push him to read before he’s ready so I’m just laying the groundwork now.)
Love that he is taking a picture… it is such a great technique for remembering words and also moments and places. The watercolour illustration really added to your slice- so impactful!
What a neat opportunity you and Ari are having! He’d never get that kind of 1:1 teaching if it wasn’t for homeschooling. But I’m with you…I taught K one year and that was more than enough!
I love it when those connections click. Good job Ari. And yes, teaching preschool through 2nd grade is tough. As a literacy specialist, I have seen the demands of this age group as well and it is amazingly difficult yet worth seeing those light bulb moments.
I was just talking to Kindergarten teachers today about mapping words orthographically. I love the idea of snapping a picture… a new way to call words snap words!
Just love Ari’s response and the photo. It is so much like him – he’s so cool! I bet his teachers are all going to love him! Thanks for sharing this slice. I have a very visual memory and learned to read by acquiring a huge sight word vocabulary, spelling words from memory, and to acquire vocabulary words from the printed page.
This is great and I think it really works, even with my little students in India. I think I need to point out to them the benefits of a second picture in your mind!
Raising Literate Humans 
I’ve never heard of teaching orthographic mapping – I’m going to have to look into that – but I love Ari taking a (second) picture with his mind so that he can remember. ❤
There’s quite a bit out there on it. I believe it I believe it’s a term that’s been around for years. As an upper elementary person, it wasn’t something I ever did. But nowadays, I teach preschool! (There won’t be an encore. First and last time teaching anyone below K.)
I never heard of the term either, thank you for sharing Ari’s success, this is great, bravo to you both!
Thanks! It’s fun with learning clicks.
Like Amanda, I need to look up orthographic mapping. Bravo to Ari for “taking a picture” of “here.” I’m both fascinated and deeply touched by this tender moment of learning.
It’s fun to teach him. He’s like a sponge!
What a great strategy of taking a ‘photo’.
Speaking of photos, I love the watercolour effect of your photo of Ari. How did you make that happen?
I use an app called Waterlogue. It’s a favorite.
Thank you! I’ll have to check it out. Your photos are always absolutely gorgeous with the water color feel.
Aw, thanks!
We’ve been testing this out as well! Hoping Ari is creating connections in his brain with all those pictures he’s taking!
He prefers math to ELA so getting him to do this took some effort. He gets such satisfaction out of recognizing words. Maybe it’s time… (I don’t want to push him to read before he’s ready so I’m just laying the groundwork now.)
I just started introducing a few to Rose too!
Love that he is taking a picture… it is such a great technique for remembering words and also moments and places. The watercolour illustration really added to your slice- so impactful!
Thanks! I loved watching him in action.
So cool! I don’t know that strategy but would love to learn it.
Email me (so I don’t forget) and I’ll send you more info.
How precious! I listened in to a Kindergarten teacher today teaching a small group the same thing. 🙂
Awesome!
What a neat opportunity you and Ari are having! He’d never get that kind of 1:1 teaching if it wasn’t for homeschooling. But I’m with you…I taught K one year and that was more than enough!
So, he’ll be an older Kindergartener next year because of his birthday. BUT, would you believe Kindergarten isn’t even required in PA?
I love it when those connections click. Good job Ari. And yes, teaching preschool through 2nd grade is tough. As a literacy specialist, I have seen the demands of this age group as well and it is amazingly difficult yet worth seeing those light bulb moments.
Those lightbulb moments make it worthwhile!
LOVE THIS! Going to use it for sure! Thank you!
It’s a great strategy!
I was just talking to Kindergarten teachers today about mapping words orthographically. I love the idea of snapping a picture… a new way to call words snap words!
So many names. Sight words. Everywhere words. Snap words. What else?
Just love Ari’s response and the photo. It is so much like him – he’s so cool! I bet his teachers are all going to love him! Thanks for sharing this slice. I have a very visual memory and learned to read by acquiring a huge sight word vocabulary, spelling words from memory, and to acquire vocabulary words from the printed page.
It’s exciting to watch him recognize more words.
I LOVE this strategy for kids (or anyone) to “take a picture of the word”. That pause is so important and solidifies learning!
I should try it for myself. I have a few frequently misspelled words.
This is great and I think it really works, even with my little students in India. I think I need to point out to them the benefits of a second picture in your mind!
The picture helps!