Spelling Strategies and Common Patterns
Good spellers use patterns, rules, and memory tricks—not guesswork.
Learning objectives
- Use a range of spelling strategies before asking for help.
- Recognise common suffix patterns and apply rules correctly.
- Memorise weekly tricky words using short, frequent practice.
Success criteria
- Pupils can demonstrate a strategy such as "say it, stretch it, write it" for unfamiliar words.
- Apply suffix rules correctly in 4/5 practice examples.
- Recall at least 80% of the week's tricky words in a short quiz.
Smart Strategies
- Say it, stretch it, write it: segment into sounds.
- Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check: repeat 3–5 times.
- Chunking: break long words into parts: in-vi-ta-tion.
- Word families: light, night, bright, delight.
- Mnemonics: because = big elephants can always understand small elephants.
Examples and How to Use Them
Use these step-by-step examples when teaching a new pattern.
- Say it, stretch it, write it: for "shop" → /sh/ /o/ /p/ → write s-h-o-p.
- Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check: show "because", say it, cover, write from memory, check and correct.
- Chunking: invitation → in | vi | ta | tion; practise each chunk then blend.
Common Patterns
Suffixes
- -ed/-ing: hop → hopping, hopped (double after short vowel)
- -ful/-less/-ness: helpful, fearless, kindness
- -ly: quick → quickly, happy → happily
Tricky Words
- said, they, friend, people, because
- Practice little and often—five words per week.
Weekly Practice Plan (example)
A short, consistent routine builds spelling skill quickly.
- Monday: Introduce 5 new tricky words and practise reading them.
- Tuesday: Play a quick phonics game (e.g., snap or matching cards).
- Wednesday: Write the words in silly sentences or a short story.
- Thursday: Quick test (Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check) and correct errors.
- Friday: Fun consolidation — word ladder or spelling relay race.
Practice Ideas
- Make a word ladder (light → lightning → enlightening).
- Write a silly story using 10 target words.
- Create flashcards for 5 tricky words and quiz daily.
Quick Checks
- ✓Did I use a strategy before asking for the spelling?
- ✓Do my suffixes follow the rules (double/drop/y→i)?
- ✓Have I practised this week’s tricky words?
Games and Activities
- Word ladder: change one letter at a time to make a new word.
- Silly sentences: create a funny sentence using target words to help memory.
- Flashcard quiz with a partner — one says, one spells aloud.