Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

What type of spelling is associated with transitional readers?

1. Emergent speller

2. Within word pattern spelling

3. Syllables and affixes spelling

4. Derivational relations spelling

The correct answer is: Within word pattern spelling

Transitional readers are typically characterized by their ability to connect the phonetic aspects of spelling with more complex patterns found in words. Within word pattern spelling is closely aligned with the developmental stage of transitional readers as it emphasizes understanding vowel patterns and recognizing common spelling conventions. At this stage, students are moving beyond basic phonetic spelling and starting to grasp more intricate spelling rules, such as those that involve long vowels, digraphs, and patterns that occur within words. This stage allows transitional readers to begin experimenting with spelling changes based on the phonological and morphological structures of words, leading to a deeper understanding of the structure of the English language. The other types of spelling connected to the other options represent different stages of literacy development. Emergent spellers typically focus on recognizing letters and sounds without a solid understanding of word patterns. Syllables and affixes spelling relates to later stages of reading development where students learn to manipulate syllables and prefixes or suffixes. Derivational relations spelling involves understanding how words change and form new meanings through derivation, which usually occurs after students become proficient in the earlier stages. Therefore, the association of transitional readers with within word pattern spelling accurately reflects their developmental progression in spelling and reading.