Year 3 - English
Practise and apply spelling compound words
Prefixes, homonyms and homophones
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions associated with prefixes meaning 'not', like dis-, non-, mis- and un-, as well as the spelling of homophones, homonyms and some compound words.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use a range of strategies to practise spelling compound words.
Key Notes
- Compound words are words made up of two or more pre-existing words.
- The spelling of both words remains the same when the words are combined together.
- 'Colour blocking' is a useful practice strategy.
- How to spell the curriculum word: strange.
Vocabulary To Learn
- root word: the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
- syllable: a single sound or beat in a word that contains a vowel sound
- polysyllabic: a word that contains more than one sound or beat
- compound word: two or more words joined together
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Some pupils may think words are compound words if they can spot one word within another word.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Compound words are words made up of two or more pre-existing words. The spelling of both words remains the same when the words are combined together.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'root word'
the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Some pupils may think words are compound words if they can spot one word within another word. Correction: Show examples e.g. 'yesterday'. Whilst it has the word 'day' in it, if you were to separate this, the word 'yester' would not make sense.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Identifying and spelling homonyms Study Guide
- Identifying and spelling homophones Study Guide
- Practise and apply spelling homonyms Study Guide
- Practise and apply spelling homophones Study Guide
- Practise and apply spelling words ending in "-sure" and "-ture" Study Guide
- Practise and apply spelling words with the prefixes "de-", "re-", "sub-" and "super-" Study Guide
- Practise and apply spelling words with the prefixes "dis-", "non-", "mis-" and "un-" Study Guide
- Spelling more compound words Study Guide
- Spelling the 'ay' sound with 'a', 'eigh' or 'ey' Study Guide
- Spelling the 'ay' sound with 'ei' or 'ea' Study Guide
- Spelling words ending in -sure and -ture Study Guide
- Spelling words with the prefixes "de-", "re-", "sub-" and "super-" Study Guide
- Spelling words with the prefixes "dis-", "non-", "mis-" and "un-" Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 3 English guide library.