Word study: decide to eight

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.

decide: to choose after thinking. Decide has c in the middle and a final e. Read: 'The group will decide which title fits best.'

describe: to say or write what something is like. Describe keeps s-c-r together and ends ibe. Read: 'Describe the shell without guessing its age.'

different: not the same. Different has double f and an e before the final nt. Read: 'The two leaves have different edges.'

difficult: not easy to do or understand. Difficult has double f and ends cult. Read: 'The difficult puzzle needed another careful look.'

disappear: to go out of sight. Add dis to appear; keep appear's double p, but do not double s. Read: 'We watched the train disappear into the tunnel.'

early: before the usual or expected time. Early begins ear and ends ly. Read: 'We arrived early and helped set out the chairs.'

earth: the ground or soil in this sentence. Earth begins ear and ends th. Read: 'The gardener loosened the earth around the plant.'

eight: the number after seven. Eight contains eigh before the final t. Read: 'There were eight counters on the tray.'

2 · Worked example

Study decide. I say what it means: to choose after thinking. I notice the spelling: Decide has c in the middle and a final e. 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 'to say or write what something is like'. Uncover and check it. Now write a different sentence using describe; 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.