Year 5 - English
Investigating the letter string 'fer'
Noun suffixes, letter strings 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 more noun suffixes like -ant, -ance, -ancy, -ent, -ence and -ency, reviewing how the addition of a suffix can affect the grammar of a word, for example its word class. Pupils investigate letter strings and homophones.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to spell words using the letter string 'fer'.
Key Notes
- When adding suffixes to words ending 'fer', the 'r' is doubled if the 'fer' is still stressed when the ending is added.
- The 'r' is not doubled if the 'fer' is no longer stressed.
- We can use word maps to link related words and identify connections in the meaning and spelling of words.
- How to spell the curriculum words: sincere and sincerely.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may find it very difficult to identify when 'fer' is stressed or unstressed.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
When adding suffixes to words ending 'fer', the 'r' is doubled if the 'fer' is still stressed when the ending is added. The 'r' is not doubled if the 'fer' is no longer stressed.
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: Children may find it very difficult to identify when 'fer' is stressed or unstressed. Correction: Model saying the words with 'fer' aloud and stressing the appropriate syllable. Ask pupils to copy you.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Applying spelling rules with the letter string 'fer' Study Guide
- Applying the rule 'i before e except after c' Study Guide
- Investigating the 'ee' sound spelt 'ie' or 'ei' Study Guide
- Other sounds represented by the letter string 'ei' Study Guide
- Other sounds represented by the letter string 'ie' Study Guide
- Spelling a selection of homophones Study Guide
- Spelling further homophones and near-homophones Study Guide
- Spelling words with the suffix -ant Study Guide
- Spelling words with the suffix -ent Study Guide
- Spelling words with the suffixes -ance and -ancy Study Guide
- Spelling words with the suffixes -ence and -ency Study Guide
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