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Year 2 - English

Applying the new 'er' spellings, including 'or' and 'ear'

Alternative GPCs for long vowels

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn new GPCs (grapheme phoneme correspondences) for long vowel sounds.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to apply two new spellings for the 'er' phoneme: 'or' and 'ear'.

Key Notes

  • ear' is a representation of the 'er' phoneme that can ben found at the beginning or middle of a word.
  • The 'or' representation of the 'er' phoneme is found after a 'w', such as 'word' and 'worm'.
  • How to spell the common exception word: friend.
  • Words in word families can have linked spelling, such as friend and friendly.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • digraph: two letters that represent one sound
  • trigraph: three letters that represent one sound
  • word family: a group of words common in feature, pattern or meaning

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Some children will not see connections between words in word families, like friend and friendship.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

ear' is a representation of the 'er' phoneme that can ben found at the beginning or middle of a word. The 'or' representation of the 'er' phoneme is found after a 'w', such as 'word' and 'worm'.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'digraph'

two letters that represent one sound.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Some children will not see connections between words in word families, like friend and friendship. Correction: Draw attention to the link between friend and friendship. If you can spell friend, you can also spell friendship.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 2 English guide library.