Word study: recommend to shoulder

1 · Learn

Practise a small number of words over several days. First explain the meaning, then inspect the spelling. Look for a familiar root, a changed ending or letters that are hard to hear. Cover the model, write from memory and check. Use the word in your own writing so it is more than a memorised list.

recommend: to suggest something as suitable. Recommend has one c and double m. Read: 'I recommend this book because its diagrams explain the process clearly.'

relevant: closely connected to what is being considered. Relevant has e after l and ends ant. Read: 'Include only evidence relevant to the question.'

restaurant: a place where meals are prepared and served to customers. Restaurant keeps au after rest and ends rant. Read: 'The story's family met at a small restaurant.'

rhyme: words sharing matching final sounds in poetry. Rhyme begins rh and contains y before me. Read: 'The poet chose a rhyme that fitted the meaning.'

rhythm: a pattern of beats or movement. Rhythm begins rh and ends thm; it has y but no a, e, i, o or u. Read: 'The repeated phrase created a steady rhythm.'

sacrifice: to give up something valued for another purpose. Sacrifice has c after sa and ends fice. Read: 'The character chose to sacrifice some free time to help repair the model.'

secretary: a person who organises records and communication. Secretary keeps e after r and ends tary. Read: 'The club secretary recorded the group's decisions.'

shoulder: the part of the body where the upper arm joins the trunk. Shoulder contains ou and ends der. Read: 'The strap rested on the character's shoulder.'

2 · Worked example

To learn recommend, I connect its meaning, to suggest something as suitable, with this spelling detail: Recommend has one c and double m. I write it from memory, compare it and identify exactly which letters need attention. I then use it in a new sentence and check whether the meaning fits.

3 · Your turn

Without looking, write the studied word meaning 'closely connected to what is being considered'. Check it against the model. Write your own sentence using relevant and explain the spelling feature you needed to remember.

4 · Apply your learning

Choose two words for a personal practice list. Ask a partner or adult to dictate one supplied sentence after you have discussed its meaning. Proofread the result, then try a new sentence of your own. Revisit the words after a delay and note whether you can use them accurately without the model.