Word study: recent to straight

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.

recent: having happened a short time ago. Recent has c for the s sound and ends ent. Read: 'The recent photograph showed the new reading corner.'

regular: following a repeated pattern or schedule. Regular has one g and ends ular. Read: 'The class checked the plants at regular intervals.'

reign: the time when a monarch rules. Reign contains eig and a g that is not usually heard; rain and rein mean different things. Read: 'The museum label named the monarch's reign.'

remember: to bring something back to mind. Remember keeps both m letters, one in each middle part. Read: 'Remember to record the unit beside each number.'

sentence: a grammatical unit expressing a statement, question, command or exclamation. Sentence ends ence, not ance. Read: 'We changed the sentence into a question.'

separate: apart rather than joined. Separate has a after the first r; remember par in the middle. Read: 'Keep the two sets of counters separate.'

special: different from ordinary in a valued or particular way. Special ends cial; compare all four ending letters rather than guessing from the final sound. Read: 'The handmade bookmark was a special gift.'

straight: without a bend or curve. Straight contains aigh before t. Read: 'Use a ruler to draw a straight line.'

2 · Worked example

Study recent. I say what it means: having happened a short time ago. I notice the spelling: Recent has c for the s sound and ends ent. 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 'following a repeated pattern or schedule'. Uncover and check it. Now write a different sentence using regular; 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.