What do students primarily focus on during the Orthographic stage of reading development?

During the Orthographic stage of reading development, students primarily focus on reading larger units of print and decoding. This stage often involves developing the ability to recognize patterns in words and how these patterns can assist in reading fluently and efficiently. As children transition into this phase, they start to grasp the complexities of written language, which is characterized by the understanding of word structures, syllables, and the arrangement of letters.

In this stage, learners are not just decoding individual letters or sounds but are beginning to perceive whole words and larger chunks of text. This ability allows them to read more quickly and improve their overall reading comprehension because they can process information in a more integrated way. The emphasis on decoding larger units helps bridge the gap between basic phonics and proficient reading skills, enabling students to move toward the next stages of reading development where they will focus more on comprehension and meaning-making.