Practise and apply spelling -er and -est words with alternative rules
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use a range of strategies to practise spelling words using the suffixes -er and -est.
Key learning points
- -er and -est are suffixes that can be used to change the meaning of a root word.
- 'Colour blocks' is a useful practice strategy.
- How to spell the curriculum word: difficult.
Keywords
Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning
Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
Adjective - describes a noun
Vowel - a speech sound produced with an open mouth
Consonant - a sound that is made by blocking air in the mouth with the teeth, tongue, lips or palate
Common misconception
Remind pupils to use the root word to help them spell the new word created by adding the suffix.
Ensure pupils have a good understanding of the vocabulary. If they do not know the root word, they will find it harder to spell. Use images.
Teacher tip
Draw links between rules for adding other suffixes and talk about commonalities. For example, removing the 'e' from root words ending in 'e' and changing the 'y' to 'i' for root words ending in 'y'.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Adding the suffix -er or -est ...
Q2.What happens when the suffix -est is added to a word such as 'long' or ‘fast’?
Q3.What happens when the suffix -er is added to a root word ending in 'e', such as 'nice' or 'close'?
Q4.What happens when the suffix -est is added to a root word ending in 'y', such as 'angry' or 'funny'?
Q5.What happens when the suffix -er is added to a root word including a short vowel followed by a single consonant, such as 'big' or 'mad'?
Q6.Match the words to the rules that apply to them when adding the suffix -er or -est.
Just add -er or -est.
Remove the 'e' and add -er or -est.
Remove the 'y' and add -ier or -iest.
Double the consonant after a short vowel, then add -est.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to the rules that apply to them when adding the suffix -er or -est.
Just add -er or -est.
Remove the 'e', add -er or -est.
Remove the 'y', add -ier or -iest.
Double the consonant and add -er or -est.
Q2.Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'This is the carmist I have ever seen the sea.'
Q3.Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'You will need a lardger size.'
Q4.Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Your bedroom is the messyest room in the house.'
Q5.Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'My number of blocks is biggur than yours.'
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'It was a diffaclt decision to make.'
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Practise and apply spelling -er and -est words with alternative rules, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Practise and apply spelling -er and -est words with alternative rules, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the More suffixes and silent letters unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.