English lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 45 minutes
Year 2 tricky words (because, people, could…)
Spelling
CCSS RF.2.3.FCCSS L.2.2.DEngland: Y2 Common exception wordsEngland: KS1 SATs GPS (spelling)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Year 2 tricky words (because, people, could…).
- 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: third set (once, friend, school…)
Leads to: Year 3/4 spelling words, part 1 (accident to guide)
Materials: Word cards, Look-say-cover-write-check sheets, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Tricky words: third set (once, friend, school…)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Choose the correct spelling of the tricky word. We had pizza ___ the show. (after / afta / arfter / aftur) → afterPrompt: Tricky words have a part that does not match the usual sounds.
- Type the tricky word that matches the clue. the opposite of before → afterPrompt: Say the word first, then think about its tricky part.
- Choose the correct spelling of the tricky word. ___ upon a time, there was a tiny dragon. (Wunce / Onse / Once / Wons) → OncePrompt: Tricky words have a part that does not match the usual sounds.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a word spelled two ways and ask which looks right, then why.
- Share the objective: Year 2 tricky words (because, people, could…). Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Choose the correct spelling. There were lots of ___ at the fair.
- Step 1: These common words have unusual spellings. Learn the tricky part.
- Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "There were lots of people at the fair."
- Step 3: So the answer is: people
- Answer: people
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Choose the correct spelling. Our cat is very ___. (ould / owld / old / olde) → oldPrompt: Say the word slowly and listen for the tricky sound.
- Type the tricky word that matches the clue. the opposite of whole: one of two equal parts → halfPrompt: Say the word, then think about the part that is not spelled the way it sounds.
You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Type the tricky word that matches the clue. another word for dad → fatherPrompt: Say the word, then think about the part that is not spelled the way it sounds.
- Choose the correct spelling. We ate ___ a pizza each. (halph / haff / harf / half) → halfPrompt: Say the word slowly and listen for the tricky sound.
Watch out for
- Spelling every word exactly as it sounds.
- Learning a list for a test but not using the words in writing.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Tricky words: third set (once, friend, school…).
- Use concrete materials: word 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 3/4 spelling words, part 1 (accident to guide).
- 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-2.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder