stages of spelling

Stage 1: Emergent Spelling

                Not yet reading, understanding of writing varying considerably. Some may pretend write with scribble or random marks. Looking at other children that can write and they try to mimic them with similar lettering of the name, ex: Trista, Travis. No relationship between letters and sounds, this is called prephonetic spelling. “Understanding alphabetic principle, which letters stand for speech sounds”. Phonemic awareness.  Teachers often foster this understanding by pointing to words as they read.

Stage 2: Letter Name Spelling

                Starting to read familiar words and repetitive text and word patterns, “Is your mama a llama”. Spelling words wrong, vowels are less important than consonants.  

Stage 3: Within Word Pattern Spelling

                Students are able to read words they have never seen before based on the knowledge they have of familiar words. Students do what feels comfortable to them.

Stage 4: Syllable Juncture Spelling

                Most students have become proficient readers and can process print with considerable proficiency. Students have difficulty with social studies and science because of the new and bigger vocabulary and those subjects expose them to more complex spelling patterns. Favorite authors drive student book choices. Not only do students learn science and social studies but they also learn new vocabulary.

Stage 5: Derivational Consistency Spelling

                Last stage of spelling development and continues through adulthood. The earliest this stage is reached is by fourth grade, and the latest should be eighth grade. They choose to read stories that indirectly relate to them, such as age, interests, gender, and so on.