Word study: caught to continue

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.

caught: the past form of catch. Remember the letter group augh in caught. Read: 'The net caught the falling foam ball.'

centre: the middle of something. In this British spelling, centre ends re. Read: 'Put a dot in the centre of the circle.'

century: a period of one hundred years. Century starts cent and ends ury. Read: 'The old photograph was taken more than a century ago.'

certain: sure about something. Certain ends ain; compare all the letters rather than guessing from the final sound. Read: 'I am certain the tally shows eight because I counted it twice.'

circle: a flat round shape whose boundary is equally far from its centre. Circle has c at both the start and near the end, with different sounds. Read: 'She drew a circle around the chosen answer.'

complete: finished, with nothing needed missing. Complete has a final e; keep the middle letters p-l-e. Read: 'Our model was complete when the last support was added.'

consider: to think carefully about. Consider has one s and ends der. Read: 'Consider both routes before choosing one.'

continue: to carry on. Continue ends nue; remember the final e. Read: 'We will continue the story after lunch.'

2 · Worked example

Study caught. I say what it means: the past form of catch. I notice the spelling: Remember the letter group augh in caught. 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 'the middle of something'. Uncover and check it. Now write a different sentence using centre; 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.