Lesson: Spelling Rules
Year: 6 | Subject: SPaG | Time Allocation: 100%
Class/Set: ____________ Date/Term: ____________
LO (WALT): To apply complex spelling rules when adding suffixes to root words.
Success Criteria (WILF):
- I can identify whether a suffix begins with a vowel or a consonant.
- I can apply the 'drop the e', '1-1-1 doubling', and 'y to i' rules correctly.
- I can accurately spell the Year 6 statutory words definite and desperate when adding suffixes.
1. Starter (15%)
- Activity: Suffix Sorting Hat.
- Explain: Display two columns on the board: 'Vowel Suffixes' and 'Consonant Suffixes'.
- Classify: Provide students with cards (or a list) containing: -ing, -ed, -er, -est, -ly, -ment, -ful, -ness, -ous.
- Identify: Students must quickly sort these into the correct column on their mini-whiteboards.
- Challenge: Ask why identifying the first letter of a suffix is the "Golden Rule" for spelling transitions.
2. Main Activity (70%)
Teacher Input:
- Model: The 'Drop the Silent e' rule using advise. Show that when adding -ing (vowel suffix), we produce advising. Contrast this with adding -able to form advisable.
- Explain: The 1-1-1 doubling rule. Root words with 1 syllable, 1 vowel, and 1 consonant double the last letter before a vowel suffix.
- Demonstrate: For Year 6, this extends to multi-syllabic words where the last syllable is stressed. Use refer. Because we say 're-FER', we double the 'r' to make referring or referral.
- Illustrate: The 'y to i' rule using occupy. Show that when adding -ed or -es, the 'y' changes to 'i' (occupied, occupies). Note the exception: keep the 'y' if adding -ing (occupying) to avoid double 'i'.
- Examine: Statutory words definite and desperate. Highlight the 'i' in the middle of definite and the 'e' in the middle of desperate. Show how they behave when adding -ly: definitely and desperately. (Point out that we keep the 'e' because -ly starts with a consonant).
Student Task:
- Distribute: The 'Suffix Transformation Matrix' (see Teacher's Guidance for values).
- Task A: Students must apply the correct rule to transform the root words advise, refer, and occupy using the provided suffixes.
- Task B: Proofreading Challenge. Students rewrite a short paragraph containing intentional errors for the words definitely and desperately (e.g., 'definately' and 'desperatly').
- Support: Provide a 'Rule Reminder' bookmark for students working towards age-related expectations (ARE).
- Extend: Ask 'Greater Depth' students to explain why reference does not double the 'r' while referring does (Hint: look at the syllable stress).
3. Plenary (15%)
- Check: Facilitate a 'Dictation Duel'. Read three sentences aloud using the target words in context. Students must write them accurately in their exercise books.
- Consolidate: Use 'Thumbs Up/Down' to check if students can spot the correct spelling of definitely from four options on the board.
4. Resources
- Mini-whiteboards and pens.
- Suffix Sorting cards.
- Suffix Transformation Matrix (Worksheet).
- Year 5/6 Statutory Word list for reference.
⚠ TEACHER’S GUIDANCE
💡 Pedagogical Insights
- Year 6 Transition: At this level, students often struggle with 'syllable stress' in the doubling rule. Spend extra time on refer. We double the 'r' in referring because the stress is on the 'fer'. We do not double it in reference because the stress shifts to the first syllable ('REF-er-ence').
- The 'y' Exception: Remind students that we rarely see 'ii' in English. This is why occupying keeps the 'y' instead of changing to 'i'.
✅ Answer Key & Mirror-Labeling
Task A: Suffix Transformation Matrix
| Root Word |
Suffix |
Correct Spelling |
Rule Applied |
| advise |
-ing |
advising |
Drop the silent 'e' |
| advise |
-able |
advisable |
Drop the silent 'e' |
| refer |
-ed |
referred |
1-1-1 doubling (stressed syllable) |
| refer |
-al |
referral |
1-1-1 doubling (stressed syllable) |
| occupy |
-ed |
occupied |
Change 'y' to 'i' |
| occupy |
-ing |
occupying |
Keep 'y' (avoid double 'i') |
| definite |
-ly |
definitely |
Keep 'e' (consonant suffix) |
| desperate |
-ly |
desperately |
Keep 'e' (consonant suffix) |
Task B: Proofreading Correction
- Incorrect: "I was definately desperatly seeking a referral."
- Correct: "I was definitely desperately seeking a referral."
Plenary: Dictation Duel Sentences
- I would advise you to be definitely sure before you act.
- The doctor sent a referral because the patient was desperate.
- We are currently occupying the largest room in the building.