English lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 45 minutes
Tricky words: second set (said, have, come, was…)
Phonics & Sight Words
CCSS RF.K.3.CEngland: Reception Phonics (tricky words)England: Y1 Common exception words
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Tricky words: second set (said, have, come, was…).
- 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: Sight words: first set
Leads to: Tricky words: third set (once, friend, school…)
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 · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Sight words: first set). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Choose the word that makes the sentence make sense. She ___ a pet fish. (has / to / have / the) → hasPrompt: Read the sentence with each word in the gap.
- Choose the word that makes the sentence make sense. Look at ___ little cat! (to / we / is / the) → thePrompt: Read the sentence with each word in the gap.
- Choose the word that makes the sentence make sense. We like ___ play in the park. (is / to / my / see) → toPrompt: Read the sentence with each word in the gap.
Hook · 5 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: second set (said, have, come, was…). 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 tricky word to finish the sentence. The cat ran ___ of the box.
- Step 1: Tricky words have a tricky part you need to remember by sight.
- Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The cat ran out of the box."
- Step 3: So the answer is: out
- Answer: out
- 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 tricky word to finish the sentence. I ___ to paint. (lake / like / lick / lik) → likePrompt: Tricky words do not follow the usual sound rules, so look closely at every letter.
- Type the missing letter in this tricky word. w _ s (It ___ hot yesterday.) → wasPrompt: Read the clue in brackets to work out the word.
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 missing letter in this tricky word. w h _ t (___ is that?) → whatPrompt: Read the clue in brackets to work out the word.
- Choose the correct tricky word to finish the sentence. Put the box over ___. (ther / three / there / thare) → therePrompt: Tricky words do not follow the usual sound rules, so look closely at every letter.
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: Sight words: first set.
- 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: Tricky words: third set (once, friend, school…).
- 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/kindergarten.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder