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Year 3 - English

spelling words with silent letters: "b", "w", "k" and "g"

More suffixes and silent letters

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions used with the suffixes -ly, -ful and -less, as well as the spelling of words with silent letters. Pupils will learn how the addition of a suffix can affect the grammar of a word, for example its word class or tense.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify words that contain 'silent letters'.

Key Notes

  • The spelling 'mb' is often found at the end of a word, such as climb.
  • The spelling 'kn' is usually found at the start of a word.
  • The spelling 'gn' is usually found at the start or end of a word.
  • The spelling 'wr' is usually found at the start of a word.
  • How to spell the curriculum word: perhaps.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • silent letter: a letter in a word that is not pronounced when the word is spoken
  • phoneme: the smallest unit of sound that can change its meaning
  • grapheme: the letter or group of letters that represent a sound

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Children see words as unconnected and so don't see the link between 'write' and 'wrote'.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The spelling 'mb' is often found at the end of a word, such as climb. The spelling 'kn' is usually found at the start of a word.

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

a letter in a word that is not pronounced when the word is spoken.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Children see words as unconnected and so don't see the link between 'write' and 'wrote'. Correction: Explicitly show how the spelling of connected words is linked, such as 'know' and 'knowledge' and 'write and 'wrote'.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 English guide library.