Developmental Stages of Spelling

There are several different but parallel systems that break down the developmental stages of spelling into understandable categories. I have chosen one that uses four stages although I have seen perfectly good systems divided into six and eight categories. I hope these help you as much as they have helped me.

Stage One: Exploration

Pre-letter writing
Random writing on page -- letters, symbols, numbers
May use repetition of familiar letters -- such as the letters in child's name
Uses left-to-right directionality
Uses random sight words

Stage Two: Semiphonetic

Leaves random spaces in writing
Uses a few known words in correct place - i.e. names
Shows letter-sound correspondence
- uses initial consonants
- uses partial mapping of word (2 or 3 letters)
Reads back accurately at conference

Stage Three: Phonetic

Total mapping of letter-sound correspondence
Vowels are omitted when not heard
Writes quickly
Spaces words correctly
Letters are assigned strictly on the basis of sound br=bar or prt=party

Stage Four: Transitional

Vowels appear in every syllable
Silent "e" pattern becomes fixed
Inflectional endings like "s", "ing" are used
Common letter sequences are used (ay, ee, ow)
Child moves toward visual spelling
May include all, but reverse some, letters (from=form)

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Developmental Stages of Spelling

Go to the Authors' Page

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Go to the
Authors'
Page

Go to
Corley
Home Page

Go to
Writing
Workshop

Go to
Understanding
Your Child's Writing
Page