Crystal Wise

Outline

Definition

Spelling History

Introduction

Steps of Emergent Spelling

Summary

Emergent spelling encompasses the writing effort of children who are not yet reading conventionally.

The stages of spelling are Emergent,Letter Name Stage, Within-Word Patterns, or Transitional Stage, Syllables and Affixes, and Derivational Relations. Spelling begins in the extended period of emergent literacy during which children learn much about the forms and functions of print. This lays the groundwork for moving into the alphabetic layer of spelling. In English, consonants emerge first in children's invented spellings, because they are more prominent acoustically and in terms of articulation. Vowels emerge somewhat later. This sequence reflects English speaking children's analysis of the way words are represented in print. Darell Morris(1993)states that once a child knows what a printed word unit is and how it corresponds to speech, their theory of how spelling works is driven by an alphabetic expectation: Sounds within words are matched up with letters in a linear left to right fashion. As the students master the alphabetic layer, they will emerge into the pattern layer and then eventually into the meaning layer.

Emergent spelling refers to that period of time prior to matching of letters and sounds in a left to right sequence. Emergent spellers usually range from age 0-5. However, anyone not yet reading conventionally is in this stage of development. Emergent spelling may range from random marks to legitimate letters that show no relationship to sound. In the emergent spelling stage students often use invented spelling. In order to use invented spelling students must know some letters. Students must also attend to sounds within syllables and match those sound segments to letters. The ability to divide syllables into phonemes, is called Phonemic Awareness (phoneme detection).

At the beginning of the emergent spelling stage students can write on the page and hold their writing utensil. These students may produce large scribbles that is basically drawing. In the beginning of the emergent stage sound-symbol correspondance and directionality occur.

In the middle of the emergent spelling stage students use horizontal movement across the page. There is a clear distiction between writing and drawing. These students have letterlike forms and use lines and dots for writing. In the middle emergent stage sound-symbol correspondance is still lacking.

In the late emergent spelling stage students have consistent directionality and some letter-sound correspondance. These students often confuse letters that sound, feel, and look alike. Complete sound-symbol correpondance is lacking, as well as consistent spacing between words.

In closing, the Emergent Spelling stage refers to the period of time prior to matching of letters and sounds in a left to right sequence. In this stage students use invented spelling. Characteristics in this stage range from large scribbles to some letter like formations. By the end of the emergent stage, the students have some letter-sound correspondance.

References

Bear, D. R., Invernizzi, M., Templeton, S., & Johnston, F. (2004). Words their way: Word study for phonics, vocabulary, and spelling instruction (3rd ed.). Upper Saddler River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Morris, D., Timpleton, S.(1999). Questions teachers ask about spelling. Reading Research Quarterly, 34, 102-112.

Mc Cormick, S.(2003). Instructing Students who have literacy problems (4th ed.). Upper Saddler River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Morris, D.(2005). The Howard Street Tutoring Manual. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Tompkins, G. (2003). Literacy for the 21st Century. Upper Saddler River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

External Links

http://www.unr.edu/cll/data%20files/Bear%20Words%20Your%20Way%20%20Presentation%201-37.ppt

This is a link to a powerpoint informs the reader about different aspects of literacy.

http://education.shu.edu/pt3grant/depierro/Emergent%20Literacy%20Module.doc

This link provides provides the reader with informationon Emergent literacy. It describes the spelling and writing stages.

http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/prek2/issues/704issue.shtm

This is a link that provides the reader with information about the stages of spelling development.

http://www.csub.edu/~gmohler/documents/word_study.ppt

This link provides information about emergent literacy including emergent spelling.

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li100.htm

This link provides informtion about Emergent Writing.

Commentary by Cindy Boles:

I think your page is very well written in clear, concise language that is easy to read and understand. You have made links to other pages whenever possible to give the reader additional resources.

I only have a few housekeeping suggestions for your page:

In the paragraph that begins with, "The stages of spelling are...," there is a typo. It should read, "how it corresponds..." instead of "how is corresponds..." There is also a typo with your heading: Refrences. It should be References.

The term "letterlike' in the last paragraph should be either "letter like" or "letter-like."

The word "emergent" is mispelled twice. In the opening sentence, " Emergant spelling encompasses the writing effort of children who are not yet reading conventionally." And in the third paragraph, "In the emergant spelling stage students often use invented spelling."

Great page!

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Commentary by Deborah Louie

I found your page easy to read and very interesting. You carefully explained your topic in an informative and orderly fashion.

I wasn't sure about the second and third sentence in the third paragraph: "These students may produce large scribbles that is basically drawing. In the beginning of the emergent stage sound-symbol correspondance and directionality." Was it meant to be one sentence?

I like how you explained what your internet links were all about. Great to reference to for future research and help.

Commentary by Jeanice Lewis

Your page is very nicely laid out. It is very easy to read, and you have some great links to your page. I think it would be easy for you to do all of your writing in Word or some other word processor before you post it. It will be easier to catch mis-spells and grammar usage. I enjoyed the external links.