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      Applying spelling rules with the letter string ‘fer’

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can apply spelling patterns using the letter string ‘fer’.

      Key learning points

      1. When adding suffixes to words ending in ‘fer’, the ‘r’ is doubled if the –fer is still stressed.
      2. The ‘r’ is not doubled if the ‘fer’ is no longer stressed.
      3. We can use a range of strategies to practise spellings and help embed them in our memory.
      4. How to spell the curriculum words: purpose and suppose.

      Keywords

      • Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes

      • Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning

      • Letter string - a sequence of letters that appears in several words

      • Stressed sound - an emphasised sound

      Common misconception

      Children may not know how to pronounce focus words within the lesson, meaning they can't identify the stressed syllable.

      Use 'my turn your turn' to ensure children can pronounce focus words correctly, and also put into sentences so they can understand the meaning and word class in context.

      Teacher tip

      Allow pupils to work in pairs during Learning Cycle 2, when practising. Pupils can complete their own mini low-stakes test to practise recalling the spelling of their chosen words.

      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 suffixes.

      Correct answer: -ence
      Correct answer: -ed
      pre-
      Correct answer: -al
      un-

      Q2.
      Select all the words containing the suffix -ed.

      Correct answer: referred
      seedy
      Correct answer: offered
      head
      red

      Q3.
      Match the words ending with the suffix -ed to their root words.

      Correct Answer:referred,refer
      Correct Answer:slipped,slip
      Correct Answer:like,liked
      Correct Answer:cry,cried
      Correct Answer:walk,walked

      Q4.
      Match the root words to the corresponding verbs with the suffix -ing.

      Correct Answer:slice,slicing
      Correct Answer:walk,walking
      Correct Answer:offer,offering
      Correct Answer:refer,referring
      Correct Answer:cry,crying

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'I am hiting the ball as hard as I can!'

      hiting
      Correct answer: hitting
      hitin

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Are you controwling Player 1 or Player 2 on the screen?'

      Correct Answer: controlling

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which words have 'fer' in a stressed syllable?

      Correct answer: referral
      differing
      Correct answer: inferred
      differ

      Q2.
      Select the correct spelling of the word below.

      Correct answer: offered
      offerred
      offerd

      Q3.
      Select the correct spelling of the word below.

      Correct answer: transferring
      transfering
      transfiring

      Q4.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Are you refferin to to this book?'

      Correct Answer: referring

      Q5.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'I don't believe there is any difrance between them.'

      Correct Answer: difference

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'What is the perpous of this text?'

      Correct Answer: purpose

      To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Applying spelling rules with the letter string ‘fer’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...