Heart Word Spelling Center – High Frequency Words

Heart Words Spelling Center for High Frequency Words

Are you looking for a way to get your students reading and spelling high frequency words? This Science of Reading aligned, research-backed method has students learn how to phonetically sound out words to improve retention and transferability. It has students go through the orthographic mapping process which leads to long term storage of words in memory. There are over 280 word cards included as well as an editable copy for you to add any other words you need.

The packet includes:

♥ Over 280 words cards
♥ Heart word mats
♥ Orthographic mapping guide
♥ Editable word cards

HOW TO USE:

Step 1: To begin, students choose a High Frequency Word card and place it onto the ‘Read it’ section of the mat. Then, they read the word aloud.

Step 2: Next, students move onto the ‘Map it’ section where they map the sounds they can hear in the word. They can use counters or other small objects to cover the circles to show how many sounds the word has. This packet includes an orthographic mapping reference guide.

Step 3: Next, students complete the ‘Graph and Heart it’ section where they spell the HFW by splitting the sounds up into the boxes (use the orthographic mapping guide if you are unsure of how to graph the words). Then, they heart the sound that is irregular or unknown.

Step 4: Finally, students verbally use the word in a sentence, or write a sentence using the word.

FAQ

What is the heart word method?

The heart word method teaches students how to read sight words phonetically rather than memorize them. It draws on the theory of orthographic mapping which states that when students break words apart into phonemes/graphemes and then build them back together, long term retention is achieved. The bonus part of this method is that these skills are transferrable to other words! It’s basically like that proverb that says if you give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day, but if you teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime.

When using this method, attention is drawn to irregular or untaught sounds by using a heart. The heart is a reminder that this part of the word is ‘tricky’ and must be remembered by heart. The remainder of the word can be phonetically sounded out by students.