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Reception English · ReceptionChapter 7 · Segmenting and writing words
Reception · Chapter 7

Segmenting and writing words

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can split a word into its sounds and write one box for each sound
  • I can write the letters of a picture name in order
  • I can write simple words for pictures, with the letters in order
  • I can write a label with a capital letter at the start
  • I can check a spelling by reading it sound by sound

You should already know

  • Blending words (Chapter 6)
  • Letter sounds in Chapters 1 to 5

Where this leads

  • Common tricky words (Chapter 8)
  • Reading and writing short sentences (Chapter 9)

Early Years Foundation Stage for England, English. Content: Split a word into its sounds, and write one box for each sound, Choose or type the letters of a picture name in order, with the sounds on screen, Write simple CVC words and digraph words for pictures and labels, Start a label with a capital letter and write it so that others can read it, Check a spelling by comparing its letters with the sounds.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FBlend the sounds m - a - t. Tap the picture of the word: mat, map or pan.

mat
map
pan
2
FWhich two letters make one sound at the start of chair?

chair
3
FHow many sounds are in the word rain? Write the number.

rain
4
FWhich picture has the sound /ee/ at the end? Tap the picture: tree, cup or moon.

tree
cup
moon
5
FWrite the letters of the word hat, one box at a time, in order.

hat
7.1

Splitting short words into sounds

Reception
Split a short word into its sounds, Write one box for each sound
Video lesson: Splitting short words into soundsComing soon

Kit has a picture of a cat. Kit says the word slowly: /k/ /a/ /t/. Each sound gets one box.

We call this segmenting. It means splitting a word into its sounds.

Write one letter in each box, in the same order as the sounds.

cat
Cat has three sounds, so it has three boxes.

Key ideas

  • Segmenting means splitting a word into its sounds.
  • Write one box for each sound.
  • Write the letters in the same order as the sounds.
Worked example 7.1.1
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

cat

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    cat
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    c - a - t
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    c-a-t

Check. Read the letters back: c-a-t. They spell cat. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Worked example 7.1.2
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

dog

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    dog
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    d - o - g
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    d-o-g

Check. Read the letters back: d-o-g. They spell dog. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Worked example 7.1.3
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

bed

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    bed
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    b - e - d
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    b-e-d

Check. Read the letters back: b-e-d. They spell bed. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Watch out

Watch out: write the letters in the order you say the sounds. Do not put them in a different order.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the word slowly. Ask the child to tap one finger for each sound, then write one box for each tap.

Exercise 7A  Splitting short words

1
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

cat
2
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

dog
3
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

pig
4
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

hat
5
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

bed
6
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

sun
7
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

bus
8
FHow many boxes do you need for the word pen? Write the number.

pen
9
FHow many boxes do you need for the word duck? Remember that ck is one sound.

duck
10
RBen writes the word cat in four boxes. Is he right? Explain.

cat
11
PSWrite the letters of the word mud, one box at a time, in order.
12
PSWrite the letters of the word pin, one box at a time, in order.
13
PSWrite the letters of the word map, one box at a time, in order.
14
PSLook at the picture of a sock. Write the letters of its name, one box for each sound.

sock
15
PSLook at the picture of a rug. Write the letters of its name, one box for each sound.

rug
16
PSLook at the picture of a net. Write the letters of its name, one box for each sound.
17
RSam writes the sounds of pig as p - g - i. Is he right? Explain.

pig
7.2

Writing words with two-letter sounds

Reception
Write a box for each sound, including two-letter sounds, Count the boxes
Video lesson: Writing words with two-letter soundsComing soon

Shay has a ship. The word has three sounds: /sh/ /i/ /p/. The first box has two letters, sh.

Chris has a chick. Its sounds are /ch/ /i/ /k/. The last box is ck, two letters, one sound.

ship
Ship has three boxes, one for each sound.

Key ideas

  • A box can have two letters that make one sound.
  • Count the boxes, not the letters.
  • Write the letters of each box together.
Worked example 7.2.1
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

ship

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    ship
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    sh - i - p
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    sh-i-p

Check. Read the letters back: sh-i-p. They spell ship. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Worked example 7.2.2
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

chick

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    chick
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    ch - i - ck
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    ch-i-ck

Check. Read the letters back: ch-i-ck. They spell chick. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Worked example 7.2.3
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

rain

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    rain
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    r - ai - n
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    r-ai-n

Check. Read the letters back: r-ai-n. They spell rain. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Watch out

Watch out: rain has four letters but three sounds. Do not write a box for each letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “How many boxes?” For ship, the answer is three. For chick, it is three too.

Exercise 7B  Writing words with two-letter sounds

1
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

ship
2
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

chick
3
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

thumb
4
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

rain
5
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

boat
6
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

moon
7
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

fish
8
FWrite the letters of the word cow, one box for each sound. Remember that ow is one sound.

cow
9
FHow many boxes do you need for the word light? Write the number.

light
10
FWhich two letters go in the middle box of boat? Write them.

boat
11
RBen writes the word rain in four boxes, one for each letter. Is he right? Explain.

rain
12
PSWrite the letters of the word tree, one box for each sound.

tree
13
PSWrite the letters of the word goat, one box for each sound.

goat
14
PSWrite the letters of the word bird, one box for each sound. Use ir for the middle sound.

bird
15
RMia writes ship as s - h - i - p. Is she right? Explain.

ship
7.3

Building words from letters

Reception
Choose letters from a list, in order, to make a picture name
Video lesson: Building words from lettersComing soon

Priya has some letter boxes. She needs to make the word for the picture of a dog.

She chooses the letters d, o and g. She puts them in the order of the sounds: d - o - g.


dog
dog
Choose the letters for the sounds, then put them in order.

Key ideas

  • Choose one letter, or group of letters, for each sound.
  • Put the letters in the same order as the sounds.
  • Check the word by reading the sounds back.
Worked example 7.3.1
Choose the letters from d, o and g to make the picture name.

dog

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    dog
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    d - o - g
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    d-o-g

Check. Read the letters back: d-o-g. They spell dog. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Worked example 7.3.2
Choose the letters from h, a and t to make the picture name.

hat

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    hat
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    h - a - t
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    h-a-t

Check. Read the letters back: h-a-t. They spell hat. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Worked example 7.3.3
Choose the letters from b, u and s to make the picture name.

bus

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    bus
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    b - u - s
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    b-u-s

Check. Read the letters back: b-u-s. They spell bus. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Watch out

Watch out: the letters can be in any box, but the word is only right when the order matches the sounds.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Give the child the letter boxes from the list. Ask them to read the word back, sound by sound.

Exercise 7C  Building words from letters

1
FChoose the letters from d, o and g to make the picture name. Write them in order.

dog
2
FChoose the letters from h, a and t to make the picture name. Write them in order.

hat
3
FChoose the letters from s, u and n to make the picture name. Write them in order.

sun
4
FChoose the letters from d, u and ck to make the picture name. Write them in order.

duck
5
FChoose the letters from b, oa and t to make the picture name. Write them in order.

boat
6
FChoose the letters from r, ai and n to make the picture name. Write them in order.

rain
7
FChoose the letters from f, i and sh to make the picture name. Write them in order.

fish
8
FChoose the letters from c and ar to make the picture name. Write them in order.

car
9
PSChoose the letters from ch and air to make the picture name. Write them in order.

chair
10
PSChoose the letters from p and ear to make the picture name. Write them in order.

pear
11
RSam has the letters s, u and n, and a picture of a sun. He puts them in the order u, s, n. Is the word right? Explain.

sun
12
PSMake a word from the letters t, o and p, in order. Write the word.
7.4

Writing labels

Reception
Write a label for a picture, Start a label with a capital letter
Video lesson: Writing labelsComing soon

A label tells the reader what the picture shows. Ravi writes a label under his drawing of a cat.

He starts with a capital letter: Cat. The rest of the word uses small letters.


cat
A label for the picture: Cat

Key ideas

  • A label names the picture.
  • Start a label with a capital letter.
  • Write the other letters in small letters.
Worked example 7.4.1
Write a label for the picture of the dog. Start with a capital letter.

dog

Method. Say the word, then write its sounds in order. Start the label with a capital letter.

  1. Say the word. Write the sounds in order, one box at a time.
    d - o - g
  2. Start with a capital letter. Labels for pictures often start with a capital letter.
    D ... dog
  3. Write the label. Check the letters one more time.
    Dog

Check. Read the label back: Dog. It matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. Use a capital letter only at the start of the label.

Worked example 7.4.2
Write a label for the picture of the sun. Start with a capital letter.

sun

Method. Say the word, then write its sounds in order. Start the label with a capital letter.

  1. Say the word. Write the sounds in order, one box at a time.
    s - u - n
  2. Start with a capital letter. Labels for pictures often start with a capital letter.
    S ... sun
  3. Write the label. Check the letters one more time.
    Sun

Check. Read the label back: Sun. It matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. Use a capital letter only at the start of the label.

Worked example 7.4.3
Write a label for the picture of the bus. Start with a capital letter.

bus

Method. Say the word, then write its sounds in order. Start the label with a capital letter.

  1. Say the word. Write the sounds in order, one box at a time.
    b - u - s
  2. Start with a capital letter. Labels for pictures often start with a capital letter.
    B ... bus
  3. Write the label. Check the letters one more time.
    Bus

Check. Read the label back: Bus. It matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. Use a capital letter only at the start of the label.

Watch out

Watch out: a capital letter is only at the start. Do not write every letter as a capital.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to write a label for a real thing at home, such as a cup or a pen. Read the label back together.

Exercise 7D  Writing labels

1
FWrite a label for the picture of the cat. Start with a capital letter.

cat
2
FWrite a label for the picture of the hat. Start with a capital letter.

hat
3
FWrite a label for the picture of the pig. Start with a capital letter.

pig
4
FWrite a label for the picture of the ship. Start with a capital letter.

ship
5
FWrite a label for the picture of the rain. Start with a capital letter.

rain
6
FWrite a label for the picture of the boat. Start with a capital letter.

boat
7
PSWhich label is right for the picture of the sun? Tap the label: sun or Sun.

sun
8
PSWrite a label for the picture of the chick. Start with a capital letter.

chick
9
PSWrite the label for the picture of the boat in capital letters only.

boat
10
RBen writes the label cat for the picture of the cat, with a small c. Is it right? Explain.

cat
11
PSWrite a label for the picture of the car. Start with a capital letter.

car
7.5

Checking a spelling

Reception
Check a spelling by reading it sound by sound, Find the letter that is wrong
Video lesson: Checking a spellingComing soon

Tom writes the word for a picture of a bus. He writes bos. Is it right?

Read the spelling sound by sound: /b/ /u/ /s/. The middle letter should be u, not o.


bus
Read the spelling back. Does it match the sounds?

Key ideas

  • Read a spelling back, sound by sound.
  • Check that each letter matches a sound in the word.
  • A spelling that does not match the sounds is wrong, even if it looks close.
Worked example 7.5.1
Which spelling is right for the picture? Tap the spelling.

catcatkatcot

Method. Say the picture name, sound by sound. Then check each part of the spelling.

  1. Say the picture name. Say each sound in order.
    c - a - t
  2. Check the spelling that was written. The spelling cot does not match the sounds.
    cot
  3. Write the right spelling. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    cat

Check. Read the right spelling back: cat. It matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. Check every letter, in order, against the sounds.

Worked example 7.5.2
Which spelling is right for the picture? Tap the spelling.

shipshipsipshop

Method. Say the picture name, sound by sound. Then check each part of the spelling.

  1. Say the picture name. Say each sound in order.
    sh - i - p
  2. Check the spelling that was written. The spelling shop does not match the sounds.
    shop
  3. Write the right spelling. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    ship

Check. Read the right spelling back: ship. It matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. Check every letter, in order, against the sounds.

Worked example 7.5.3
Which spelling is right for the picture? Tap the spelling.

rainrainranereen

Method. Say the picture name, sound by sound. Then check each part of the spelling.

  1. Say the picture name. Say each sound in order.
    r - ai - n
  2. Check the spelling that was written. The spelling rane does not match the sounds.
    rane
  3. Write the right spelling. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    rain

Check. Read the right spelling back: rain. It matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. Check every letter, in order, against the sounds.

Watch out

Watch out: the sounds decide the spelling. A word can look right and still be wrong.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which sound does this letter make?” Read the word back, sound by sound, and check each box.

Exercise 7E  Checking spellings

1
FWhich spelling is right for the picture of the dog? Tap the spelling: dog, dgo or dag.

dogdogdgodag
2
FWhich spelling is right for the picture of the sun? Tap the spelling: sun, sn or sum.

sunsunsnsum
3
FWhich spelling is right for the picture of the duck? Tap the spelling: duck, duk or dack.

duckduckdukdack
4
FWhich spelling is right for the picture of the fish? Tap the spelling: fish, fsh or fis.

fishfishfshfis
5
PSWhich spelling is right for the picture of the coin? Tap the spelling: coin, coyn or coen.

coincoincoyncoen
6
FMia writes bos for the picture of a bus. Write the right spelling.

bus
7
FBen writes fsh for the picture of a fish. Write the right spelling.

fish
8
FPriya writes dgo for the picture of a dog. Write the right spelling.

dog
9
PSSam writes tre for the picture of a tree. Write the right spelling.

tree
10
PSRavi writes coyn for the picture of a coin. Write the right spelling.

coin
11
PSLily writes rane for the picture of rain. Write the right spelling.

rain
12
RExplain how you can check a spelling by yourself. Use the word sounds.

cat

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
SegmentingSplit a word into its sounds, one box for each sound
Two-letter boxessh, ch, ai, oa and other groups go in one box
Building wordsChoose the letters for each sound, then put them in order
LabelsStart with a capital letter, then small letters
CheckingRead the spelling back, sound by sound

Can you…?

  • I can split a word into its sounds and write one box for each sound
  • I can write a word with two-letter sounds in the right number of boxes
  • I can write a label that starts with a capital letter
  • I can check a spelling by reading it sound by sound

Key terms

segment
split a word into its sounds
label
a short word that names a picture
box
one sound in a word, written as one letter or group of letters

Exercise 7Z  Check-up

1
Write the letters of the word cup, one box for each sound. Remember that cup has three sounds.

cup
2
Write the letters of the word ship, one box for each sound.

ship
3
Choose the letters from d, o and g to make the picture name. Write them in order.

dog
4
How many boxes do you need for the word rain? Write the number.

rain
5
Write a label for the picture of the pig. Start with a capital letter.

pig
6
Which spelling is right for the picture of the cat? Tap the spelling: kat, cat or cot.

catkatcatcot
7
Write the letters of the word goat, one box for each sound.

goat
8
Write the letters of the word bed, one box for each sound.

bed
9
Mia writes sip for the picture of a ship. Write the right spelling.

ship
10
Explain how segmenting helps you write a word. Use the word boxes.

pen

Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.

Exercise 7X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the letters of the word pin, one box for each sound.[1 mark]

pin
2
FChoose the letters from m, a and t to make the picture name for mat. Write them in order.[1 mark]

mat
3
FWrite a label for the picture of the bus. Start with a capital letter.[1 mark]

bus
4
FWrite the letters of the word fish, one box for each sound.[1 mark]

fish
5
PSWhich spelling is right for the picture of the duck? Tap the spelling: duk, duck or dack.[2 marks]

duckdukduckdack
6
PSWrite the letters of the word bird, one box for each sound. Use ir for the middle sound.[2 marks]

bird
7
RBen writes the word rain in four boxes. Is he right? Explain.[2 marks]

rain
8
PSWrite a label for the picture of the chick. Start with a capital letter.[2 marks]

chick
9
PSWhich spelling is right for the picture of the tree? Tap the spelling: tre, tree or three.[2 marks]

treetretreethree
10
PSWrite a word of your own with three sounds, using the letters from this chapter. Write the letters in boxes.[3 marks]
11
PSSam writes the word coin as c - oy - n. Write the right spelling, one box for each sound.[3 marks]

coin
← Chapter 6: Blending wordsChapter 8: Common tricky words →

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