Printable Word Mapping Templates

Use these word mapping templates to assist students in breaking down vocabulary into their sounds and analyze spelling patterns used to represent these sounds. Use a list of words suitable for your students, such as this Word Study List – CVC or Word Study List CCVC. Call out the words and have the students tap out the sounds. They can place counters on the boxes or use a dot pen to show they understand how many phonemes are in each word.

To extend your students, they may have a go at writing the word on the line provided. This template will allow for differentiation depending on how your students are progressing.

What is Orthographic Mapping?

Orthographic mapping is a cognitive process that refers to the mental process of learning and remembering the spellings of words. It involves the integration of different sources of information, including visual, phonological, and semantic cues, to create a mental representation of a word’s spelling in long-term memory. To assist students in the development of their long-term memory of words, they need to encounter a word repeatedly in different contexts. These word mapping templates are a great way to assist with this process.

Download & Print

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

Turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity by printing on cardboard and slipping it into a write-and-wipe sleeve. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse. 

Additionally, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks.

This resource was created by Samantha Rose, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter collaborator.