Two match-up tables fill this three-page Year 5 sheet on words that sound alike. The first pairs a noun with its verb, such as practice and practise or advice and advise. The second covers stationary and stationery, principal and principle, and alter and altar. Pupils finish by writing a sentence for each word in one pair. The sheet links to the England National Curriculum grammar objectives, and the answer key covers both tables.
Writing - vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
“Learning the grammar for years 5 and 6 in English Appendix 2”
The first table labels each word as a noun or a verb, so pupils see the c or s spelling mark the word class.
Writing - vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
“Use and understand the grammatical terminology in English Appendix 2 accurately and appropriately in discussing their writing and reading.”
Pupils use the terms noun and verb to explain why practice and practise are spelled differently.
Pupils match eight words, including licence, license and device, to their meanings by writing a letter in the box. The first one is done for them.
Six words to match, with meanings such as 'Writing materials, including pens, envelopes, and fresh paper'.
Pupils pick either practice and practise or stationary and stationery, then write one sentence for each word.
Spelling lesson
Teach the c for noun, s for verb pattern with advice and advise first, as pupils can hear the difference in that pair.
Proofreading follow-up
After the sheet, give pupils a paragraph where licence and license are mixed up and ask them to correct it.
Quick starter
Use the Tricky Homophones table as a five-minute task before a writing lesson.
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