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      Spelling more homophones

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify the correct spelling of a homophone based on its context.

      Key learning points

      1. Two or more words that sound the same but have different meanings or spellings are called homophones.
      2. 'Licence' and 'license' and 'practice' and 'practise' are homophones.
      3. 'Prophecy' and 'prophesy' are homophones.
      4. We can look for naughty letters to help us to remember tricky spellings.
      5. How to spell the curriculum words: temperature and aggressive.

      Keywords

      • Homophone - words that sound the same, but have different spellings and meanings

      • Word class - different types of words that are used to form sentences

      • Context - the surrounding words or sentences that help determine the meaning of a word or phrase

      Common misconception

      Pupils will mistakenly use -ce endings for verbs instead of -se endings or vice versa.

      Look at a selection of words that fit this spelling pattern and help them to recognise that -ce typically indicates a noun, whilst -se indicates a verb.

      Teacher tip

      Look at other nouns and verbs that have the same spellings at the end such as device, devise, advice, advise. Put all of these words into sentences and encourage pupils to use their knowledge of word class to help spell the homophones correctly.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Select the pair of near-homophones.

      Correct answer: weary
      here
      Correct answer: wary
      hear

      Q2.
      Select the pair of homonyms.

      who's
      Correct answer: wound
      whose
      Correct answer: wound

      Q3.
      Select the pair of homophones.

      prince
      price
      Correct answer: principle
      Correct answer: principal

      Q4.
      Match the pair of words with the correct label.

      Correct Answer:board and bored,homophones
      Correct Answer:match and match,homonyms
      Correct Answer:proceed and precede,near-homophones

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling to complete the following sentence. It is wrong to...

      steel
      steil
      Correct answer: steal
      stele

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: Last to arrive were the bridel party.

      Correct Answer: bridal

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Select the pair of homophones.

      lice
      Correct answer: licence
      Correct answer: license
      licensing

      Q2.
      Match the homophones.

      Correct Answer:sell,cell
      Correct Answer:tail,tale
      Correct Answer:cereal,serial

      Q3.
      Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold. The cent of the flowers was glorious.

      sent
      sennt
      csent
      Correct answer: scent

      Q4.
      Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold. Every Saturday, I practis playing football in the park.

      practice
      Correct answer: practise
      pracktise
      praktice

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling to complete the following sentence: The __________ predicted the future.

      profecy
      professy
      prophesy
      Correct answer: prophecy

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence. Check the temprature before you get into the bath.

      Correct Answer: temperature

      To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Spelling more homophones, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...