Spelling: Tricky Words Practice
To develop automatic recognition and correct spelling of common exception (tricky) words.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Reads Phase 2/3 tricky words automatically
- Spells common tricky words correctly
- Applies tricky words in writing
- Self-corrects tricky word errors
Materials
- Tricky word flash cards
- Look-say-cover-write-check grids
- Word rainbow writing
- Tricky word bingo
Instructions
Introduce the concept of 'tricky words' honestly: 'Most words we can sound out — these ones are TRICKY because they have sounds that don't follow the usual rules. We need to learn them by remembering them whole.'
Teach a maximum of four to five tricky words per week. The most common reception tricky words: the, I, no, go, to, into, she, he, me, we, be, was, my, you, they, all, are, her, said, have, like, so, some, do, come, were, there.
Use Look-Say-Cover-Write-Check: look at the word, say it, cover it up, write it from memory, uncover and check. Simple and effective. Repeat three times per word per session.
Multi-sensory practice: write in glittery glue, form with magnetic letters, trace in sand, stamp with alphabet stamps, write with chalk outdoors. Varied sensory input creates multiple memory pathways.
Play tricky word bingo: each child has a bingo card with tricky words. Call words aloud. 'The! Do you have 'the' on your card?' Mark it off. First to complete a line wins. A motivating, low-pressure practice format.
Display tricky words prominently in the classroom. Refer to them during reading and writing: 'This word is 'said' — do you remember? It's a tricky one! 'Said' — s-a-i-d.' Frequent short exposures build automaticity over time.