Instead of sending home a list of words for students to miss or asking students to simply memorize a list of words that is ineffective what if there was a better way? There is! By teaching heart words students can orthographically map sight words and focus on memorizing only the parts that are irregular rather than entire words which is more efficient and easier for the brain.
What are Heart Words?
There is confusion about sight words, high frequency words, and so on.
Sight words – Any word a reader knows by sight
High Frequency Words – Words that appear frequently in a text this is where Dolch and Fry lists come from.
Irregularly Spelled Words – these are the words that truly are irregular like of, was, and does.
Heart Words – words that focus on the parts of the words that are irregular but are orthographically mapped to help students learn them faster.
What is Orthographic Mapping?
Orthographic mapping is a process in the brain where words are stored in long term memory. It can not be taught but we as teachers can help students by developing its components. We use these components to help students learn irregularly spelled words more quickly.
Teaching Using this Method
By teaching irregular words using this method students develop the components of orthographic mapping. They also learn irregular words more easily. To learn the steps of teaching heart words click here. These words still need to be practiced but teaching them explicitly using this method is much more effective.
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