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Reading · Ages 5–7 · 15 minutes

Kindergarten Phonics Spelling-Pattern Detective

Instead of completing isolated blanks, children use a clue and a choice of spelling patterns to decide how a familiar word should be written.

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Kindergarten Phonics Spelling-Pattern Detective

Name:                              
Date:              

Today I am practising: choosing a known phonics pattern to spell a word

1

A boat that carries people: sh__p (i or ee). Write the word.

2

A place where a bird can rest: n__st (e or ea). Choose and read it.

3

A bright light in the sky: st__r (a or ar). Write the word.

4

A small animal that jumps: fr__g (o or oa). Choose the pattern.

5

A word that means to look: s__e (e or ee). Write it and use it orally.

6

Create a clue for a word with sh, ch, ai, ee, oa, ar, or silent e. Ask an adult to solve it.

Grown-up note: Ask your learner to explain one answer in their own words.

For the grown-up

How to teach this page

  1. Step 1Read the clue first, then have the child say the whole word before looking at spelling choices.
  2. Step 2Ask the child to identify the pattern they chose, not just write the answer.
  3. Step 3If a choice is wrong, blend it together and compare whether it matches the clue.