Phonics: Tricky Word Wall
To develop automatic recognition of high-frequency exception words that cannot be fully decoded phonically.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Reads tricky words on sight
- Spells common tricky words
- Identifies tricky words in texts
- Uses tricky words in writing
Materials
- Tricky word flashcards
- Tricky word wall display
- Tricky word bingo
- Sentence building cards
Instructions
Introduce tricky words explicitly: 'This word is 'the'. It's a TRICKY word because it doesn't play by the phonics rules. We can't sound it out perfectly, so we learn it by sight. T-H-E says 'the'.'
Teach two to three new tricky words per week. Revise all learned words daily. 'Flash the cards': hold up each word for two seconds — children read it. Speed builds automaticity.
Make tricky words physical: spell them with actions (jump for each letter: T! H! E!), write them in the air with giant arm movements, spell them with eyes closed.
Play tricky word bingo: children have a board with six tricky words. Call words randomly. First to cover all six wins. This game format makes repetitive practice enjoyable.
When tricky words appear in texts, highlight them: 'There's one of our tricky words! Can you see 'said'? We learned that one last week!' Recognition in context is the ultimate goal.
Common Reception tricky words: the, I, no, go, to, into, he, she, we, me, be, was, you, they, all, are, my, her, said, have, like, so, do, some, come, were, there, little, one.