Word study: ordinary to possession

1 · Learn

Work on one or two words at a time, then come back on another day. Say a word with an adult, explain its meaning and notice its tricky letters. Look, cover, write, uncover and check. A copied word is a useful start; remembering it later and using it correctly are the next steps.

ordinary: usual rather than special. Ordinary ends ary, not ery. Read: 'An ordinary cardboard box became our pretend theatre.'

particular: one specific thing rather than any one. Particular keeps the middle i and ends ular. Read: 'We were looking for one particular blue book.'

peculiar: unusual or strange. Peculiar ends liar; remember the u before l. Read: 'The invented creature made a peculiar humming sound.'

perhaps: possibly, but not certainly. Perhaps has h after r and ends aps. Read: 'Perhaps the character will follow the footprints.'

popular: liked by many people. Popular ends ular and has only one p after the first vowel. Read: 'The funny poem was popular with the group.'

position: the place where something is. Position has one s and ends ition. Read: 'Mark the starting position of the counter.'

possess: to have or own. Possess has two pairs of s letters. Read: 'The story's ruler hoped to possess every map.'

possession: something owned in this sentence. Keep possess and add ion; both pairs of s letters remain. Read: 'The worn notebook was her favourite possession.'

2 · Worked example

Study ordinary. I say what it means: usual rather than special. I notice the spelling: Ordinary ends ary, not ery. I cover the model, write the word, then compare every letter. If a letter is wrong, I correct that part and try again later, rather than copying it many times without thinking.

3 · Your turn

Cover the word list. Write the word meaning 'one specific thing rather than any one'. Uncover and check it. Now write a different sentence using particular; explain to an adult how your sentence shows its meaning.

4 · Apply your learning

Choose two words you found difficult. Ask an adult to read the model sentences aloud, discuss unfamiliar meanings, then dictate one sentence without showing it. Check the spelling and punctuation together. Revisit those words tomorrow and later in the week; record the words you still need to practise on paper or the pad.