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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 1Chapter 6 · Segmenting and spelling short words
Level 1 · Chapter 6

Segmenting and spelling short words

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can split a picture name into its letters in order
  • I can spell a short word from a set of letters
  • I can find the middle and last letter of a short word
  • I can fix one wrong letter in a short word

You should already know

  • Blending short words (Chapter 5)
  • Simple CVC words (Chapter 4)

Where this leads

  • Tricky words: the, to, I, no, go, he, she, we, me, be (Chapter 7)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 1). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Split a picture name into its letters, in order, one for each sound, Spell a picture name from a set of letters, Find the letter in the middle or at the end of a short word, Fix one wrong letter in a word that is almost right.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich letter makes the sound /d/? Choose d, b or g. A b B g C d Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word hat? Choose h, a or t. A t B a C h Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich letter does the word mop start with? Choose from: p, m, o
4
FWhich word has the short /i/ sound in the middle? Choose cup, pin or hot. A cup B hot C pin Choose A, B or C.
5
FRead the word: cat. Does the picture show cat? Answer yes or no.
6.1

Split a picture name into its letters

Level 1
Split a picture name into its letters, in order, Find the middle letter
Video lesson: Split a picture name into its lettersComing soon

Segmenting means splitting a word into its sounds. Each sound gets one letter.

The picture shows a dog. Its letters are d - o - g. Write one letter for each sound, in order.

Use the same letters again to check the middle and the last letter.

Key ideas

  • Segmenting splits a word into sounds.
  • Write one letter for each sound.
  • Keep the letters in order.
Worked example 6.1.1
Write the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.

Method. Write one letter for each sound, in order.

  1. Say the name slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    dog
  2. Write one letter for each sound. Put a dash between the letters.
    d-o-g
  3. Write the answer.
    d-o-g

Check. Join the letters without dashes: dog. ✓

Watch out. Write each letter once, in the order of the sounds.

Worked example 6.1.2
Write the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.

Method. Write one letter for each sound, in order.

  1. Say the name slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    pig
  2. Write one letter for each sound. Put a dash between the letters.
    p-i-g
  3. Write the answer.
    p-i-g

Check. Join the letters without dashes: pig. ✓

Watch out. Write each letter once, in the order of the sounds.

Worked example 6.1.3
Write the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.

Method. Write one letter for each sound, in order.

  1. Say the name slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    hat
  2. Write one letter for each sound. Put a dash between the letters.
    h-a-t
  3. Write the answer.
    h-a-t

Check. Join the letters without dashes: hat. ✓

Watch out. Write each letter once, in the order of the sounds.

Watch out

Watch out: dog has three letters, but only one letter for each sound. Do not add extra letters.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the name slowly with the child, pointing to each sound. Ask the child to write or say one letter for each sound.

Exercise 6A  Practice: split a picture name into its letters

1
FWrite the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.
2
FWrite the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.
3
FWrite the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.
4
FWrite the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.
5
FWrite the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.
6
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word dog? A a B o C e Choose A, B or C.
7
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word pig? A e B i C a Choose A, B or C.
8
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word hat? A i B a C e Choose A, B or C.
9
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word cup? A u B e C a Choose A, B or C.
10
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word bed? A a B i C e Choose A, B or C.
11
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word net? A e B a C i Choose A, B or C.
12
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word bus? A u B e C a Choose A, B or C.
13
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word fan? A e B a C i Choose A, B or C.
6.2

Spell a picture name from its letters

Level 1
Spell a picture name from a set of letters, Put the letters in order
Video lesson: Spell a picture name from its lettersComing soon

To spell a word, put its letters in the order of its sounds.

For the picture of a pen, the letters are p, e, n. Put them in order: p - e - n.

Read the letters from left to right to check.

Key ideas

  • Say the picture name slowly.
  • Put the letters in the order of the sounds.
  • Read the word back to check.
Worked example 6.2.1
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: t, a, b

Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    bat
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    b - a - t
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    bat
  4. Write the answer.
    bat

Check. Read the letters back: b - a - t. They make bat. ✓

Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.

Worked example 6.2.2
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: a, m, t

Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    mat
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    m - a - t
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    mat
  4. Write the answer.
    mat

Check. Read the letters back: m - a - t. They make mat. ✓

Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.

Worked example 6.2.3
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, m, a

Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    map
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    m - a - p
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    map
  4. Write the answer.
    map

Check. Read the letters back: m - a - p. They make map. ✓

Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.

Watch out

Watch out: the letters in the list are shuffled. Do not put them in alphabetical order.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use real letter cards or cut-out letters to build each word. Read the word back together.

Exercise 6B  Practice: spell a picture name from its letters

1
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: a, r, t
2
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, a, t
3
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: a, p, n
4
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: i, p, n
5
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, t, i
6
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: o, g, l
7
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: g, b, u
8
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: u, t, h
9
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, s, u
10
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: t, p, o
11
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: a, h, t
12
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: d, g, o
13
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, c, u
14
FWhich letter is the last letter of log? A p B s C g Choose A, B or C.
15
FWhich letter is the last letter of bug? A s B g C p Choose A, B or C.
16
FWhich letter is the last letter of hut? A t B p C s Choose A, B or C.
17
FWhich letter is the last letter of sun? A n B s C p Choose A, B or C.
6.3

Fix one wrong letter

Level 1
Find the letter that is wrong, Write the correct word
Video lesson: Fix one wrong letterComing soon

Sometimes a word is almost right, but one letter is wrong. Look at the picture, say its name, and find the letter that does not fit.

If the word is cit and the picture is a cat, change the i to a. The word becomes cat.

Change only the wrong letter. Keep the others the same.

Key ideas

  • Look at the picture and say its name.
  • Find the letter that is wrong.
  • Change only that letter.
Worked example 6.3.1
Someone wrote dig for this picture. Write the correct word.

Method. Say the name, compare the letters, and change the one that is wrong.

  1. Look at the picture and say its name. The name tells you the spelling.
    dog
  2. Compare the letters. Letter 2 is the wrong one.
    i should be o
  3. Write the word with the fix. Change only the letter that is wrong.
    dog
  4. Write the answer.
    dog

Check. dog has 3 letters and matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. Only letter 2 changes. The other letters stay the same.

Worked example 6.3.2
Someone wrote cit for this picture. Write the correct word.

Method. Say the name, compare the letters, and change the one that is wrong.

  1. Look at the picture and say its name. The name tells you the spelling.
    cat
  2. Compare the letters. Letter 2 is the wrong one.
    i should be a
  3. Write the word with the fix. Change only the letter that is wrong.
    cat
  4. Write the answer.
    cat

Check. cat has 3 letters and matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. Only letter 2 changes. The other letters stay the same.

Worked example 6.3.3
Someone wrote hot for this picture. Write the correct word.

Method. Say the name, compare the letters, and change the one that is wrong.

  1. Look at the picture and say its name. The name tells you the spelling.
    hat
  2. Compare the letters. Letter 2 is the wrong one.
    o should be a
  3. Write the word with the fix. Change only the letter that is wrong.
    hat
  4. Write the answer.
    hat

Check. hat has 3 letters and matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. Only letter 2 changes. The other letters stay the same.

Watch out

Watch out: change only one letter. If you change more, you may make a different word.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to the wrong letter first, then say the right letter. Praise the careful check.

Exercise 6C  Practice: fix one wrong letter

1
FRead the word: dig. Does the picture show dig? Answer yes or no.
2
FRead the word: cit. Does the picture show cit? Answer yes or no.
3
FRead the word: hot. Does the picture show hot? Answer yes or no.
4
FRead the word: mag. Does the picture show mag? Answer yes or no.
5
PSSomeone wrote mag for this picture. Write the correct word.
6
PSSomeone wrote pin for this picture. Write the correct word.
7
PSSomeone wrote bas for this picture. Write the correct word.
8
PSSomeone wrote nut for this picture. Write the correct word.
9
PSSomeone wrote rag for this picture. Write the correct word.
6.4

Mixing segmenting and spelling

Level 1
Split, spell and fix words, Check a written word against its picture
Video lesson: Mixing segmenting and spellingComing soon

Now you can split a name, spell it, and fix a wrong letter. Use all three skills.

Remember: one letter for each sound, in order. Read the word back to check it matches.

Key ideas

  • Split the name into sounds.
  • Spell it in order.
  • Read it back to check.
Worked example 6.4.1
Write the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.

Method. Write one letter for each sound, in order.

  1. Say the name slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    mug
  2. Write one letter for each sound. Put a dash between the letters.
    m-u-g
  3. Write the answer.
    m-u-g

Check. Join the letters without dashes: mug. ✓

Watch out. Write each letter once, in the order of the sounds.

Worked example 6.4.2
Write the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.

Method. Write one letter for each sound, in order.

  1. Say the name slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    pen
  2. Write one letter for each sound. Put a dash between the letters.
    p-e-n
  3. Write the answer.
    p-e-n

Check. Join the letters without dashes: pen. ✓

Watch out. Write each letter once, in the order of the sounds.

Worked example 6.4.3
Write the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.

Method. Write one letter for each sound, in order.

  1. Say the name slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    rug
  2. Write one letter for each sound. Put a dash between the letters.
    r-u-g
  3. Write the answer.
    r-u-g

Check. Join the letters without dashes: rug. ✓

Watch out. Write each letter once, in the order of the sounds.

Watch out

Watch out: the picture is the clue. Say its name before you write or choose any letters.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Let the child choose which skill to use for each word, then check the spelling together.

Exercise 6D  Practice: mixing segmenting and spelling

1
FWrite the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.
2
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: t, a, b
3
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: a, m, t
4
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, m, a
5
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: a, r, t
6
FRead the word: pin. Does the picture show pin? Answer yes or no.
7
FRead the word: bas. Does the picture show bas? Answer yes or no.
8
FRead the word: nut. Does the picture show nut? Answer yes or no.
9
FRead the word: rag. Does the picture show rag? Answer yes or no.
10
PSSomeone wrote pin for this picture. Write the correct word.
11
PSSomeone wrote bas for this picture. Write the correct word.
12
PSSomeone wrote nut for this picture. Write the correct word.
13
PSSomeone wrote rag for this picture. Write the correct word.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Split a word into soundsWrite one letter for each sound, in order
Spell a picture namePut the letters in the order of the sounds
Fix a wrong letterChange only the letter that is wrong
Check a written wordRead the word back and compare it with the picture

Can you…?

  • I can split a picture name into one letter for each sound
  • I can spell a short word from a set of letters
  • I can find the middle and last letter of a short word
  • I can fix one wrong letter in a word

Key terms

segment
split a word into its sounds, one letter for each sound
spell
write the letters of a word in order
fix
change the one letter that is wrong

Exercise 6Z  Check-up

1
Write the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.
2
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: e, n, h
3
Someone wrote bad for this picture. Write the correct word.
4
Which letter is in the middle of the word cup? A u B e C a Choose A, B or C.
5
Write the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.
6
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: e, l, g
7
Someone wrote mud for this picture. Write the correct word.
8
Which letter is the last letter of pot? A p B t C s Choose A, B or C.
9
Read the word: hut. Does the picture show hut? Answer yes or no.
10
Write the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.

Total 10 marks. Allow about 10 minutes.

Exercise 6X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.[1 mark]
2
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: a, p, n[1 mark]
3
PSSomeone wrote cot for this picture. Write the correct word.[1 mark]
4
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word tin? A e B a C i Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
5
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: b, s, u[1 mark]
6
FWhich letter is the last letter of net? A s B t C p Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
7
PSSomeone wrote pin for this picture. Write the correct word.[1 mark]
8
FWrite the letters of this picture name in order, with a dash between each letter.[1 mark]
9
FRead the word: peg. Does the picture show peg? Answer yes or no.[1 mark]
10
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, a, t[1 mark]
← Chapter 5: Blending short wordsChapter 7: Tricky words: the, to, I, no, go, he, she, we, me, be →

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