What is orthographic mapping?

A. The mental process of connecting sounds, letters, and meaning to recognize words automatically
B. The ability to decode unfamiliar words using phonics rules
C. The ability to analyze sentence structure to determine meaning
D. The process of reading aloud to practice fluency

Orthographic mapping is the mental process that connects sounds, letters, and meanings for automatic word recognition. This process is crucial for fluent reading and involves quickly recalling words from memory based on their written form. Unlike decoding unfamiliar words, orthographic mapping focuses on aiding skilled readers in comprehending text efficiently.

Explanation:

Understanding Orthographic Mapping

Orthographic mapping is a crucial process in learning to read. It refers to the mental process of connecting sounds, letters, and meaning to recognize words automatically. This process is essential for developing reading fluency and comprehension.

When a reader sees a word, they activate their knowledge of the sounds that correspond to the letters in that word, which helps them to identify it quickly and accurately. For example, when encountering the word 'cat', a reader thinks of the sounds /k/, /æ/, and /t/, and connects these sounds to the meaning of the word, which is a small feline animal. This automatic recognition is what enables skilled readers to focus on comprehension rather than decoding.

In contrast, the ability to decode unfamiliar words by using phonics or analyzing sentence structure focuses on different aspects of reading, which are not the same as orthographic mapping. Orthographic mapping emphasizes the permanent storage of words in the brain for quick recall, significantly enhancing reading skills over time.

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