Making Words Stick: A Four-Step Instructional Routine to Power Up Orthographic Mapping

by Molly Ness, Katie Pace Miles

The average reader instantly recognizes 30,000 to 70,000 words—with no need to sound them out. How does that happen? Through a process called orthographic mapping. This book explains the process by which readers embed words into their long-term memories, and the instruction necessary to help K–5 students do just that. Teachers will learn how to connect decoding, encoding, and meaning through a four-step, research-based, classroom-tested routine that accelerates students’ abilities to lift words off the page and capture them in reading and writing.

Genres: Professional Development, Education, Teaching

160 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2025

Reviews

[Laura Hook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book & found it very informative. It does a nice job explaining what exactly orthographic mapping is. I have found that hard to define or clearly understand in the past. It goes into detail the why (research behind the choices) and the how (activities to promote steps to orthographic mapping). The research is bite-sized, informative and in just the right spots. This is very readable without being boring or too research heaving.

It can hopefully 🤞 help solve the issue of kids not being able to remember words (read or spell) of phonics patterns they've been taught. Highly recommend for classroom teachers, as well as interventionists, reading specialists, and instructional coaches.

What I think is missing or questions I have after reading are:
-what is the recommended time frame for each teaching activity in the book
-I wish there were suggested word lists for phonics patterns, but those are not included

Still, I would highly recommend. I've liked several in the Scholastic Science of Reading in Practice series.

[Turquoise Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

entry level book for any educator to use with plain explanations the cross k-5 for solid routines that will enable students to appropriately map words.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for teachers because the authors take various research and theories and make them easily accessible and applicable in the classroom. The focus is on the important distinction between orthographic mapping vs. memorizing sight words. There are quite a few ideas for systematic routines and protocols that can be used with readers at various phases of reading development. I would definitely recommend this book to teachers wanting to improve their practice.

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this helpful book for professional development with Orton-Gillingham tutoring. It has great definitions, and divides the four steps for sight word development into various grade levels. It has practical and easy-to-follow activities to help students orthographically map words, making recall of words automatic for developing readers.

[Diane Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for a beginners guide to orthographic mapping especially as it pertains to teaching high frequency words. I can’t wait to implement some of the strategies provided in this book and have already shared it with a colleague.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Very simple routines to ensure readers can become proficient and fluent in both reading and writing words. It should be very easy to use this book in teaching reading.

[Tayler Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Such a good book. I loved reading about the research and I loved that it has strategies you can use in your classroom and apply tomorrow! Amazing book! 💖

[Sara Gips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let the scholastic cover fool you - easy to read practical advice for reading teachers!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this will be my guide to small groups and adjusting and planning my instruction. Can't wait to get planning!!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great resource for elementary teachers, specialists, parents, and teacher aids with clear instructional routines with ideas and videos modeling how to use them.