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      Identifying and spelling homonyms

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify and spell homonyms.

      Key learning points

      1. Homonyms are words which have the same spellings but multiple meanings.
      2. The meaning of a homonym is dependent on the context.
      3. How to spell the curriculum word: woman and women.

      Keywords

      • Homonyms - words that have the same spelling or pronunciation as other words but a different meaning.

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

      Common misconception

      Children may not understand the difference between 'homophone' and 'homonym'.

      Give specific examples of homophones (e.g. hair and hare) and homonyms (e.g. bark) and discuss the differences.

      Teacher tip

      Various contexts and use of images can support with solidifying children's understanding of both homonyms and homophones. Homonyms and homophones may vary depending on accent. Adapt the lesson accordingly if this is the case.

      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.
      Match the homophones.

      Correct Answer:your,you're
      Correct Answer:weather,whether
      Correct Answer:here,hear
      Correct Answer:flour,flower

      Q2.
      Put the 'Look, cover, write, check' strategy in the correct order.

      1 - look
      2 - cover
      3 - write
      4 - check

      Q3.
      Match each word to the correct number of syllables.

      Correct Answer:hat,1
      Correct Answer:happy,2
      Correct Answer:butterfly,3

      Q4.
      Match the word to the prefix it contains.

      Correct Answer:reply,re
      Correct Answer:supercharged ,super
      Correct Answer:subtrahend,sub
      Correct Answer:demean,de

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling for the missing word. I received a __________ in the post.

      repligh
      reeply
      Correct answer: reply
      replie

      Q6.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold. The match will have to be riplaid.

      Correct answer: replayed
      riplayed
      replayd
      riplayd

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the words to the correct definitions.

      Correct Answer:homonyms,words that look the same, but have different meanings
      Correct Answer:homophones,words that sound the same, but have different spellings

      Q2.
      What word class is the word 'wave' in this sentence? I wave to my brother when I leave the house.

      noun
      adjective
      Correct answer: verb

      Q3.
      Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold. The brite sun was shining in my eyes.

      Correct answer: bright
      briet
      brit
      brIt

      Q4.
      Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold. The paper had a tair in it because it was ripped.

      tare
      tere
      Correct answer: tear
      teer

      Q5.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: I bou to the king.

      Correct Answer: bow

      Q6.
      Order the steps for the 'big letters' strategy.

      1 - look
      2 - write small
      3 - write bigger
      4 - write biggest

      To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Identifying and spelling homonyms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...