Word study: system to yacht

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.

system: connected parts working together. System begins sys, using y for its first vowel sound. Read: 'The library's sorting system helped readers find a topic.'

temperature: a measure of how hot or cold something is. Temperature keeps per in the middle and ends ature. Read: 'We recorded the temperature in degrees Celsius.'

thorough: careful and complete. Thorough has two o letters and ends ough; distinguish it from through. Read: 'A thorough check found the missing unit labels.'

twelfth: in position twelve. Twelve changes ve to f before th: twelfth keeps f-t-h together. Read: 'The twelfth entry in the table contained an error.'

variety: a range of different things. Variety ends iety; compare vary but check the changed ending. Read: 'The anthology included a variety of poems.'

vegetable: a plant or part of a plant used as food in this sense. Vegetable keeps the e after g and ends table, even when some syllables are spoken quickly. Read: 'The cook added a different vegetable to each soup.'

vehicle: a means of carrying people or goods. Vehicle keeps h and ends icle. Read: 'The invented vehicle used a wide base to stay stable.'

yacht: a boat used for sailing or leisure. Yacht is spelt y-a-c-h-t; the ch is not normally heard. Read: 'The story's yacht remained safely in the harbour.'

2 · Worked example

To learn system, I connect its meaning, connected parts working together, with this spelling detail: System begins sys, using y for its first vowel sound. 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 'a measure of how hot or cold something is'. Check it against the model. Write your own sentence using temperature 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.