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English lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 30 minutes

Tricky words: third set (once, friend, school…)

Phonics & Sight Words

CCSS RF.1.3.GCCSS L.1.2.DEngland: Y1 Common exception wordsEngland: Y1 Spelling

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Tricky words: third set (once, friend, school…).

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Tricky words (common exception words); Tricky words: second set (said, have, come, was…)

Leads to: Year 2 tricky words (because, people, could…)

Materials: Sound cards and picture cards, Magnetic letters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Tricky words (common exception words); Tricky words: second set (said, have, come, was…)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which word is spelled correctly? Clue: another word for "spoke" (Mia ___ hello) (said / sed / siad / sayd) → saidPrompt: These are tricky words: they do not sound the way they are spelled.
  2. Choose the correct tricky word to finish the sentence. The cake ___ yummy. (was / saw / woz / wos) → wasPrompt: Tricky words do not follow the usual sound rules, so look closely at every letter.
  3. Choose the correct spelling to finish the sentence. I like ice cream ___ it is sweet. (becuase / because / becos) → becausePrompt: All three choices sound the same. Which one looks right?

Hook · 3 min

  • Hide picture cards in a bag and ask children to say the first sound of each one they pull out.
  • Share the objective: Tricky words: third set (once, friend, school…). Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Choose the correct spelling of the tricky word. We are going to the beach ___.
  • Step 1: Learn the tricky part of each word by heart.
  • Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "We are going to the beach today."
  • Step 3: So the answer is: today
  • Answer: today
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Choose the correct spelling of the tricky word. He ___ hello to everyone. (says / sez / saiz / sayz) → saysPrompt: Tricky words have a part that does not match the usual sounds.
  2. Type the tricky word that matches the clue. the word that asks about a place → wherePrompt: Say the word first, then think about its tricky part.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Type the tricky word that matches the clue. a building where children learn → schoolPrompt: Say the word first, then think about its tricky part.
  2. Choose the correct spelling of the tricky word. This is ___ house. (ower / owr / our / aur) → ourPrompt: Tricky words have a part that does not match the usual sounds.

Watch out for

  • Adding an extra "uh" to sounds ("buh" instead of a clean b).
  • Reading the letters one by one but not blending them into a word.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Tricky words (common exception words).
  • Use concrete materials: sound cards and picture cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Year 2 tricky words (because, people, could…).
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-1.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Tricky words: third set (once, friend, school…)

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Choose the correct spelling of the tricky word. The parcel came ___ Grandma.

    • A. from
    • B. frum
    • C. frome
    • D. fram

  2. Question 2

    Type the tricky word that matches the clue. the word that asks about a place

    Answer

  3. Question 3

    Choose the correct spelling of the tricky word. ___ is my coat?

    • A. Wher
    • B. Whare
    • C. Where
    • D. Wair

  4. Question 4

    Type the tricky word that matches the clue. the opposite of before

    Answer

  5. Question 5

    Choose the correct spelling of the tricky word. ___ upon a time, there was a tiny dragon.

    • A. Once
    • B. Onse
    • C. Wons
    • D. Wunce

  6. Question 6

    Choose the correct spelling of the tricky word. Please ___ the door open.

    • A. puch
    • B. push
    • C. poosh
    • D. pussh

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Answer key: Tricky words: third set (once, friend, school…)

  1. 1. A. from

  2. 2. where

  3. 3. C. Where

  4. 4. after

  5. 5. A. Once

  6. 6. B. push