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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 2Chapter 7 · Spelling longer words
Level 2 · Chapter 7

Spelling longer words

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can split a picture name into sounds, keeping digraphs together
  • I can choose the correct spelling from two options
  • I can fix a word that is almost right
  • I can spell a longer word in the order of its sounds

You should already know

  • Reading longer words (Chapter 6)
  • Long vowel and digraph sounds (Chapters 2 to 5)

Where this leads

  • Tricky words set 3 (Chapter 8)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 2). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Split a picture name into its sounds and choose the letters for each sound, Choose the correct spelling from two options, Fix one wrong letter or digraph in a word that is almost right, Spell a longer picture name in order.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich two letters make one sound at the start of chin? Choose c, ch or h. A c B h C ch Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich pair of letters makes the long sound in rain? Choose ai, ay or ee. A ay B ee C ai Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich word ends with the sound ng? Choose ring, rid or rim. A rim B rid C ring Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich tricky word completes this? ___ is a long way. Choose This, Toad or Tiger. A Toad B Tiger C This Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich word has the short /a/ sound in the middle? Choose boat, bat or bee. A bee B boat C bat Choose A, B or C.
7.1

Splitting a picture name into sounds

Level 2
Split a picture name into its sounds, Choose the pair for a sound
Video lesson: Splitting a picture name into soundsComing soon

To spell a longer picture name, first say it slowly and split it into sounds.

The name chain has three sounds: ch, ai and n. Write ch for the first sound, ai for the middle, and n for the last.

Keep each pair of letters together.

Key ideas

  • Say the name slowly.
  • Split it into sounds.
  • Keep each pair together.
Worked example 7.1.1
Look at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.

Method. Say the name, keep the pairs together, and put a dash between sounds.

  1. Say the name slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    chain
  2. Keep the pairs together. A digraph or vowel team is one sound.
    ch - ai - n
  3. Write the answer with dashes. One dash between each sound.
    ch - ai - n
  4. Write the answer.
    ch - ai - n

Check. Join the sounds back together: chain. ✓

Watch out. Do not split ch, sh, ai, ee, oa or igh.

Worked example 7.1.2
Look at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.

Method. Say the name, keep the pairs together, and put a dash between sounds.

  1. Say the name slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    sheep
  2. Keep the pairs together. A digraph or vowel team is one sound.
    sh - ee - p
  3. Write the answer with dashes. One dash between each sound.
    sh - ee - p
  4. Write the answer.
    sh - ee - p

Check. Join the sounds back together: sheep. ✓

Watch out. Do not split ch, sh, ai, ee, oa or igh.

Worked example 7.1.3
Look at the picture. Its name has the gap ch__n. Which pair of letters goes in the gap? A oa B ai C ee Choose A, B or C.

Method. Say the name, find the gap, then choose the pair that makes the word.

  1. Say the picture name slowly, one sound at a time. Say each sound.
    ch - ai - n
  2. Find the sound with the gap. chain has ai in the middle.
    ch__n
  3. Pick the pair that makes the name. ai is the pair in chain.
    chain = choice B
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Put ai in the gap: chain. ✓

Watch out. Keep the pair together. It makes one sound.

Watch out

Watch out: a name can have more letters than sounds. Count the sounds, not the letters.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to say the name, tap for each sound, and write one group for each tap.

Exercise 7A  Practice: splitting a picture name into sounds

1
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
2
FLook at the picture. Its name has the gap sh__p. Which pair of letters goes in the gap? A ee B oa C ai Choose A, B or C.
3
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
4
FLook at the picture. Its name has the gap g__t. Which pair of letters goes in the gap? A igh B ai C oa Choose A, B or C.
5
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
6
FLook at the picture. Its name has the gap l__t. Which pair of letters goes in the gap? A igh B oa C ai Choose A, B or C.
7
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
8
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
9
FLook at the picture. Its name has the gap tr__n. Which pair of letters goes in the gap? A oa B ai C ee Choose A, B or C.
10
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
11
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
12
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
7.2

Choosing the correct spelling

Level 2
Choose the correct spelling for a picture, Read two spellings and pick the right one
Video lesson: Choosing the correct spellingComing soon

Two spellings can look almost the same. Look at each letter. Say the picture name, then check which spelling has the right letters.

For a picture of rain, rain is right. rane is not.

Check the pair of letters for the long sound.

Key ideas

  • Say the picture name.
  • Check each letter of both spellings.
  • Pick the one with the right pairs.
Worked example 7.2.1
Look at the picture. Which spelling is right? A rane B rain Choose A or B.

Method. Say the name, then check which spelling has the right letters.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    r - ai - n
  2. Check each spelling. Only one spelling uses the right letters.
    rain is right; rane is not
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. rain matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. rane is not a word we use for this picture.

Worked example 7.2.2
Look at the picture. Which spelling is right? A sheap B sheep Choose A or B.

Method. Say the name, then check which spelling has the right letters.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    sh - ee - p
  2. Check each spelling. Only one spelling uses the right letters.
    sheep is right; sheap is not
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. sheep matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. sheap is not a word we use for this picture.

Worked example 7.2.3
Look at the picture. Which spelling is right? A gote B goat Choose A or B.

Method. Say the name, then check which spelling has the right letters.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    g - oa - t
  2. Check each spelling. Only one spelling uses the right letters.
    goat is right; gote is not
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. goat matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. gote is not a word we use for this picture.

Watch out

Watch out: a letter can be missing or in the wrong place. Read the whole spelling before you pick it.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to the pair of letters for the long sound in each spelling. Then decide.

Exercise 7B  Practice: choosing the correct spelling

1
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A snail B snale Choose A or B.
2
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A chane B chain Choose A or B.
3
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A trane B train Choose A or B.
4
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A boat B bote Choose A or B.
5
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A night B nite Choose A or B.
6
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A soap B sope Choose A or B.
7
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A tree B tre Choose A or B.
8
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A fete B feet Choose A or B.
9
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A moth B mothe Choose A or B.
10
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A light B ligt Choose A or B.
11
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A pahth B path Choose A or B.
7.3

Fixing one wrong letter

Level 2
Find the one wrong letter or digraph, Write the correct spelling
Video lesson: Fixing one wrong letterComing soon

Someone may write a word almost right, but miss one letter or put one in the wrong place.

Say the picture name, then compare the spelling with each sound. Change only the part that is wrong.

For a picture of a sheep, seep is wrong because the h after s is missing.

Key ideas

  • Say the picture name.
  • Find the part that is wrong.
  • Change only that part.
Worked example 7.3.1
Someone wrote seep for this picture. Write the correct spelling.

Method. Say the name, then write the spelling with the right letters.

  1. Look at the picture and say its name slowly. Say each sound.
    sh - ee - p
  2. Compare the spelling. the h after s is missing
    seep is not right
  3. Write the correct spelling. Use the letters for each sound.
    sheep
  4. Write the answer.
    sheep

Check. sheep matches the picture and the sounds. ✓

Watch out. Use the letters that make each sound, such as ee or ai.

Worked example 7.3.2
Someone wrote bot for this picture. Write the correct spelling.

Method. Say the name, then write the spelling with the right letters.

  1. Look at the picture and say its name slowly. Say each sound.
    b - oa - t
  2. Compare the spelling. the a from oa is missing
    bot is not right
  3. Write the correct spelling. Use the letters for each sound.
    boat
  4. Write the answer.
    boat

Check. boat matches the picture and the sounds. ✓

Watch out. Use the letters that make each sound, such as ee or ai.

Worked example 7.3.3
Someone wrote chin for this picture. Write the correct spelling.

Method. Say the name, then write the spelling with the right letters.

  1. Look at the picture and say its name slowly. Say each sound.
    ch - ai - n
  2. Compare the spelling. the ai is missing, so this is chin
    chin is not right
  3. Write the correct spelling. Use the letters for each sound.
    chain
  4. Write the answer.
    chain

Check. chain matches the picture and the sounds. ✓

Watch out. Use the letters that make each sound, such as ee or ai.

Watch out

Watch out: a word can look right until you say each sound. Say the name, then check every pair.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to say the picture name slowly. Point to the part that is wrong. Let the child write the fix.

Exercise 7C  Practice: fixing one wrong letter

1
PSSomeone wrote rig for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
2
PSSomeone wrote moht for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
3
PSSomeone wrote nigt for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
4
PSSomeone wrote bahth for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
5
PSSomeone wrote snial for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
6
PSSomeone wrote trian for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
7
PSSomeone wrote tial for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
8
PSSomeone wrote gaot for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
9
PSSomeone wrote cot for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
7.4

Spelling a longer name in order

Level 2
Write the letters of a longer name in order, Check that the spelling makes the picture name
Video lesson: Spelling a longer name in orderComing soon

To spell a longer name, write the sounds in order, from the first sound to the last.

Check the letters are in the same order as the sounds. Then read the whole word.

Key ideas

  • Write the first sound.
  • Write each sound in order.
  • Read the whole word back.
Worked example 7.4.1
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, a, i, h, c

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.
    chain
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    ch - ai - n
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    chain
  4. Write the answer.
    chain

Check. Read the letters back: ch - ai - n. They make chain. ✓

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

Worked example 7.4.2
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, h, s, e, e

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.
    sheep
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    sh - ee - p
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    sheep
  4. Write the answer.
    sheep

Check. Read the letters back: sh - ee - p. They make sheep. ✓

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

Worked example 7.4.3
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: s, a, n, l, i

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.
    snail
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    s - n - ai - l
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    snail
  4. Write the answer.
    snail

Check. Read the letters back: s - n - ai - l. They make snail. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: the letters can be in a different order than the sounds. Write them in sound order, not in alphabet order.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to say the name, then write the letters for each sound. Read the whole word together.

Exercise 7D  Practice: spelling a longer name in order

1
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: r, a, i, n, t
2
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: t, a, o, g
3
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: h, i, t, g, l
4
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: e, s, h, l, l
5
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: s, c, h, e, t
6
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: t, o, h, m
7
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: t, b, o, a
8
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: h, g, n, i, t
9
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: t, e, e, f
10
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, s, a, o
11
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, r, i, g
7.5

Mixed spelling practice

Level 2
Choose the same pattern in a longer word, Spell and check longer picture names
Video lesson: Mixed spelling practiceComing soon

This section mixes the spelling patterns from this chapter. Look for the pair that makes each sound.

Check the picture name before you choose a spelling.

Key ideas

  • Look for the pair that makes each sound.
  • Compare the spelling with the picture.
  • Check the whole word.
Worked example 7.5.1
The word chain has the letters ai. Which word has the same letters? A ring B rain C chest Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find the letters in the model word, then find the choice that has them too.

  1. Find ai in the model word. Those letters make one sound.
    chain: ai
  2. Find the word with the same letters. Check each choice.
    rain has ai
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both chain and rain have ai. ✓

Watch out. Look for the same letters together, not only the same first letter.

Worked example 7.5.2
The word sheep has the letters ee. Which word has the same letters? A fan B feet C fish Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find the letters in the model word, then find the choice that has them too.

  1. Find ee in the model word. Those letters make one sound.
    sheep: ee
  2. Find the word with the same letters. Check each choice.
    feet has ee
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both sheep and feet have ee. ✓

Watch out. Look for the same letters together, not only the same first letter.

Worked example 7.5.3
The word snail has the letters ai. Which word has the same letters? A tall B tail C tree Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find the letters in the model word, then find the choice that has them too.

  1. Find ai in the model word. Those letters make one sound.
    snail: ai
  2. Find the word with the same letters. Check each choice.
    tail has ai
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both snail and tail have ai. ✓

Watch out. Look for the same letters together, not only the same first letter.

Watch out

Watch out: a spelling can look right for a different word. Check each pair with the picture.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to choose the pair first, then write the whole word. Praise the careful checking.

Exercise 7E  Practice: mixed spelling practice

1
FHow many sounds are in shell? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 2 Choose A, B or C.
2
FHow many sounds are in train? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 2 Choose A, B or C.
3
FRead the word: chain. Does the picture show chain? Answer yes or no.
4
FRead the word: sheep. Does the picture show sheep? Answer yes or no.
5
FRead the word: snail. Does the picture show snail? Answer yes or no.
6
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A chip B ship Choose A or B.
7
FHow many sounds are in soap? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 3 B 2 C 4 Choose A, B or C.
8
FWhich pair of letters goes in the middle of the picture name boat? Choose oa, ai or ee. A ai B ee C oa Choose A, B or C.
9
PSThe word goat has the letters oa. Which word has the same letters? A sun B soap C sop Choose A, B or C.
10
PSThe word light has the letters igh. Which word has the same letters? A nut B nap C night Choose A, B or C.
11
PSSomeone wrote fete for this picture. Write the correct spelling.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Split the nameSay the name slowly and split it into sounds
Keep pairs togetherch, sh, th, ng, ai, ee, oa and igh are one sound each
Choose the spellingCheck each pair against the picture
Fix a wordChange only the part that is wrong

Can you…?

  • I can split a longer picture name into its sounds
  • I can choose the correct spelling from two options
  • I can fix one wrong letter or digraph in a word
  • I can spell a longer word in the order of its sounds

Key terms

spelling
the letters that make up a word, in order
fix
change the part of a word that is wrong
sound order
the order of the sounds in a word, from first to last

Exercise 7Z  Check-up

1
Look at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
2
Look at the picture. Its name has the gap ch__n. Which pair of letters goes in the gap? A oa B ai C ee Choose A, B or C.
3
Look at the picture. Which spelling is right? A rane B rain Choose A or B.
4
Someone wrote seep for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
5
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: t, a, o, g
6
Look at the picture. Which spelling is right? A night B nite Choose A or B.
7
Look at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.
8
Someone wrote moht for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
9
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: h, i, t, g, l
10
Read the word: goat. Does the picture show goat? Answer yes or no.

Total 10 marks. Allow about 10 minutes.

Exercise 7X  Practice test questions

1
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.[1 mark]
2
FLook at the picture. Its name has the gap sh__p. Which pair of letters goes in the gap? A ee B oa C ai Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
3
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A boat B bote Choose A or B.[1 mark]
4
PSSomeone wrote tial for this picture. Write the correct spelling.[1 mark]
5
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: s, c, h, e, t[1 mark]
6
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A soap B sope Choose A or B.[1 mark]
7
FLook at the picture. Write its name with a dash between each sound. Keep digraphs and vowel teams together.[1 mark]
8
PSSomeone wrote bahth for this picture. Write the correct spelling.[1 mark]
9
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, r, i, g[1 mark]
10
FRead the word: chain. Does the picture show chain? Answer yes or no.[1 mark]
← Chapter 6: Reading longer wordsChapter 8: Tricky words: said, so, do, have, like, some, come, were, what, when →

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