Word study: through to women

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.

through: from one side or end to the other. Through has r after th and ends ough; compare though carefully. Read: 'The path went through a short tunnel.'

various: several different. Various has i before ous. Read: 'We tried various ways to support the model.'

weight: how heavy something is in everyday language. Weight contains eigh before t; compare the related word weigh. Read: 'The parcel's weight made it awkward to carry.'

woman: one adult female person. Woman is singular and ends man. Read: 'The woman in the story repaired the broken clock.'

women: more than one adult female person. Women is plural: change the a in woman to e, and listen to its changed pronunciation. Read: 'The two women in the story worked together on the clock.'

2 · Worked example

Study through. I say what it means: from one side or end to the other. I notice the spelling: Through has r after th and ends ough; compare though carefully. 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 'several different'. Uncover and check it. Now write a different sentence using various; 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.