46. Making Words Stick with Dr. Molly Ness on Orthographic Mapping

In this powerful episode, we welcome back Dr. Molly Ness, literacy researcher, educator, and co-author of “Making Words Stick”, the latest release from the Scholastic Science of Reading in Practice series. Together with Dr. Katie Pace Miles, Molly has created a teacher-friendly guide to help educators understand orthographic mapping and implement a 4-step routine that supports the mapping process.

We dive into what orthographic mapping actually is, why it matters, and how it’s different from memorization. Molly walks us through how the brain learns to read, busts myths about word repetitions, and explains why students must connect sound, spelling, and meaning to build a strong reading brain.

Whether you're new to the term “orthographic mapping” or looking to strengthen your instructional practice, this episode is packed with practical insight and inspiration. Get ready to geek out over the reading brain and walk away with ready-to-use classroom strategies that help words stick.

Key Takeaways:

• Orthographic mapping is an invisible cognitive process where words become instantly recognized, not memorized.
• Sound - Spelling - Meaning Connection
• Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to word repetitions.
• A 4-step instructional routine: See & Say, Segment & Spell, Study & Suss Out, Search & Stick
• Spelling is a key indicator of a student’s linguistic understanding and should be intentionally taught alongside reading.

Resources Mentioned:

• Making Words Stick 
• IES (Institute of Education Sciences) Practice Guides

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Dr. Molly Ness:

• Website: https://www.mollyness.com/
• Website: https://www.dirigoliteracy.com/
• LinkedIn: Molly Ness, PhD
• Instagram: @a_reading_mother
• BlueSky: ‪@mollyness.bsky.social‬
• End Book Desert Podcast

Connect with Dr. Katie Pace Miles:

• Website: https://www.katiepacemilesphd.com/
• Website: https://www.readinginstitutenyc.org/
• Reading Ready Programs
• Advanced Certificate in Reading Science
• Instagram: @thereadinginstitutenyc

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator