Word study: dictionary to especially

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.

dictionary: a reference giving word meanings and other information. Dictionary ends ary, not ery, and contains tion. Read: 'The dictionary helped us check which meaning fitted the sentence.'

disastrous: causing great damage or a very bad result. Compare disaster and disastrous: the e in disaster is lost in disastrous. Read: 'The story's disastrous flood changed the village's plans.'

embarrass: to make someone feel awkward or self-conscious. Embarrass has double r and double s. Read: 'The presenter did not want to embarrass a nervous volunteer.'

environment: the surroundings or conditions in which something exists. Environment keeps n before ment; do not lose it when joining environ and ment. Read: 'The pond provides an environment for many living things.'

equip: to provide the things needed for a task. Equip begins e-q-u and ends with one p. Read: 'We will equip the reading area with lamps and shelves.'

equipped: provided with what is needed. Equip becomes equipped with double p before ed; the final syllable is stressed. Read: 'The table was equipped with rulers and paper.'

equipment: the tools or items needed for a task. Equipment keeps one p before ment, unlike equipped. Read: 'We checked the equipment before beginning the model test.'

especially: particularly or more than usual. Especially begins e-s and keeps special before ly, giving double l. Read: 'The labelled diagram was especially useful.'

2 · Worked example

To learn dictionary, I connect its meaning, a reference giving word meanings and other information, with this spelling detail: Dictionary ends ary, not ery, and contains tion. 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 'causing great damage or a very bad result'. Check it against the model. Write your own sentence using disastrous 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.