Back to the lesson plan builder
Lesson length30 min45 min60 min

Print the plan for yourself; the student sheet prints on its own page after it.

English lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 60 minutes

ch that says /k/ (school) or /sh/ (chef)

Spelling

CCSS L.3.2.FCCSS RF.3.3England: Y3/4 Spelling (ch as /k/ and /sh/)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: ch that says /k/ (school) or /sh/ (chef).

  • 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: Soft c and soft g (city, giant)

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

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 · 6 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Soft c and soft g (city, giant)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What sound does the g make in "ginger"? (/j/ as in "jam" / /g/ as in "goat") → /j/ as in "jam"Prompt: Look at the letter just after the g.
  2. Which word has a soft c (it sounds like /s/, as in "city")? (cent / cot / cut / cave) → centPrompt: Say each word aloud.
  3. What sound does the g make in "dragon"? (/j/ as in "jam" / /g/ as in "goat") → /g/ as in "goat"Prompt: Look at the letter just after the g.

Hook · 6 min

  • Show a word spelled two ways and ask which looks right, then why.
  • Share the objective: ch that says /k/ (school) or /sh/ (chef). Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: What sound does ch make in "lunch"?
  • Step 1: In "lunch", ch says /ch/ as in "chip".
  • Step 2: So the answer is: /ch/ as in "chip"
  • Answer: /ch/ as in "chip"
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 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. What sound does ch make in "parachute"? (/ch/ as in "chip" / /k/ as in "kite" / /sh/ as in "ship") → /sh/ as in "ship"Prompt: Say the word aloud in all three ways. Which one is a real word?
  2. Which spelling is correct? (orchestre / orkestra / orchestra) → orchestraPrompt: Say the word slowly and listen for the tricky part.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. In which word does ch make a DIFFERENT sound from the others? (machine / kitchen / lunch / cheese) → machinePrompt: Say each word and listen only to the ch.
  2. Which spelling is correct? (ache / aik / ake) → achePrompt: Say the word slowly and listen for the tricky part.

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: Soft c and soft g (city, giant).
  • 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

  • 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-3.

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

eurekami

ch that says /k/ (school) or /sh/ (chef)

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    In which word does ch make a DIFFERENT sound from the others?

    • A. chair
    • B. kitchen
    • C. orchestra
    • D. teacher
  2. Question 2

    What sound does ch make in "chandelier"?

    • A. /ch/ as in "chip"
    • B. /k/ as in "kite"
    • C. /sh/ as in "ship"
  3. Question 3

    Which spelling is correct?

    • A. mechanik
    • B. mechanic
    • C. mekanic
  4. Question 4

    What sound does ch make in "echo"?

    • A. /ch/ as in "chip"
    • B. /k/ as in "kite"
    • C. /sh/ as in "ship"
  5. Question 5

    What sound does ch make in "chip"?

    • A. /ch/ as in "chip"
    • B. /k/ as in "kite"
    • C. /sh/ as in "ship"
  6. Question 6

    What sound does ch make in "chalet"?

    • A. /ch/ as in "chip"
    • B. /k/ as in "kite"
    • C. /sh/ as in "ship"
  7. Question 7

    What sound does ch make in "scheme"?

    • A. /ch/ as in "chip"
    • B. /k/ as in "kite"
    • C. /sh/ as in "ship"
  8. Question 8

    What sound does ch make in "cheese"?

    • A. /ch/ as in "chip"
    • B. /k/ as in "kite"
    • C. /sh/ as in "ship"

Free from eurekami.com

for the adult only

Answer key: ch that says /k/ (school) or /sh/ (chef)

  1. 1. C. orchestra

  2. 2. C. /sh/ as in "ship"

  3. 3. B. mechanic

  4. 4. B. /k/ as in "kite"

  5. 5. A. /ch/ as in "chip"

  6. 6. C. /sh/ as in "ship"

  7. 7. B. /k/ as in "kite"

  8. 8. A. /ch/ as in "chip"