Knowledge and Skills Statement
Research
Ehri, L. C., & Rosenthal, J. (2007). Spellings of Words: A Neglected Facilitator of Vocabulary Learning. Journal of Literacy Research, 39(4), 389–409. Accessed online at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10862960701675341
Summary: Vocabulary learning is central to reading ability and academic achievement. The review of literature reveals that little attention has been focused on the contributions that spelling might make to vocabulary learning. In this study the theory and evidence revealed that this is a serious oversight. The analysis shows that exposing second and fifth graders to the spellings of new vocabulary words enhances their memory for pronunciations and meanings of the words. Students with better developed orthographic knowledge benefit more from spellings in learning vocabulary words.