I’m sure meltdowns never happen at your house or in your classroom because they never happen here {roll eyes}. Earlier this week, we had a pretty big one over the spelling of the word rain. Yes, rain.
My dear, sweet ALuv {2nd grade} kept trying to spell rain like RANE. I assured him that while he had indeed spelled the long a sound with one of the long a patterns (a_e), he needed to choose a different long a pattern (ai). He continued for some time that he could not think of another long a pattern.
I frantically searched for his word study notebook from last year to show him the word sort we’d done with a_e, ai, and ay, but could not find it (I recently did a clean up of the schoolroom when we bought a new organizer and now, things are “organized” differently…sigh).
That’s when it hit me. He needed a quick reference sheet (on just one sheet, like the printable I made for him with the most common words used in the directions of a worksheet) that contained the most common phonics patterns we have studied in single syllable words.
So, I got to work and created it for him. He now has it posted at his desk. We have already used it this several times just this week during writing time, preventing potential meltdowns. 😉
How to Use the Spelling Pattern Printable
Let’s say your child wants to spell hawk in his story, but isn’t sure how.
- You can say, “Hawk uses the same pattern as yawn.”
- Your child looks over the sheet, finds the word yawn in the Other Vowel section (pictures provided for extra support).
- He can see that the vowel pattern he needs to use is AW (vowel patterns are emphasized with red, bold letters)
- He then uses the AW word pattern to help him spell hawk. Simple as that!
Why Learning to Spell using Pattern Within Words is Effective
To keep it simple, when a child begins to recognize that the English language is largely built on word patterns, spelling becomes less laborious. For example, if a young speller knows how to spell black, he can use the -ack pattern to spell at least 13 other one-syllable words such as back, tack, and snack. Instead starting from scratch when spelling all the other -ack words, he can spell using patterns within words (in this example, -ack). As a matter of fact, using the common short and long vowel rimes (like -ack, -ight, or -ore, thousands of other words can be spelled! Using patterns within words helps young spellers gain confidence as spellers (and readers).
More Resources for Using Patterns Within Words
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- Short Vowel Word Study
- Short Vowel Word Study App & Long Vowel Word Study App are a GREAT way to get kids reading and spelling by vowel patterns and are available for only $2.99 on Google Play & iTunes!
- 10 Days of Teaching Spelling through Word Study
- A Better Way to Teach Spelling {The Measured Mom}
- Using Word Family Chunks to Read New Words
- Teaching Young Readers to Find Patterns in Words (BOB Book guest post)
- Flip a Word: A Short Vowel Game
Follow This Reading Mama’s board Word Study/Phonics on Pinterest.
Download this FREE Quick Reference Spelling Pattern Sheet HERE!
~Becky
LOVE THIS! This is my first year teaching Word Study and I LOVE IT!! I have sound cards hanging in the room but I like this quick reference sheet! Thank you! 🙂
This is exactly what I need as a writing reference for my 3rd grader, and a teaching tool for my beginning readers. How is it that you are always making precisely what I need?! 🙂
Because God is just that good to you. 😉
Thank you! I’ve never seen it put like that before….and I’m a teacher. I just found you on Pinterst..and very happy that I did. Wishing you the best.
You are very welcome. As an educator, I always enjoy seeing a concept in a new light. It makes teaching adventuresome!
I have been looking everywhere for something like this! Thanks for helping the little 2nd graders in my class improve their reading, writing and confidence,
wish I had more time to spend reading this blog. It has a lot of great stuff in it!
Thanks. Feel free to ask if you need something specific.
I am a reading specialist and use so many of your resources! You are truly amazing and so knowledgable! You have a way of explaining everything in a simple yet meaningful way! Do you have Quick Reference Spelling Pattern Sheets for the other developmental stages?
How do i download the free word patterns chart???
Scroll down to the bottom and click HERE where it says–> Download this FREE Quick Reference Spelling Pattern Sheet HERE!
Hi, I am a big fan of all your teacher resources and have directed many teachers in the school where I am a reading specialist to your website. Keep ’em coming! Just wanted to make two comments about the spelling patterns chart: 1. Have you thought about adding /ou/ as in soup to the long u patterns? 2. I believe the correct way to show the welded sound in the word ball is /all/, not /al/. Just figured I’d point that out.
Have a great day!
Could you make the “Learning to Spell Using Patterns Within Words” into posters focusing on one specific sound per sheet? I would love to display this in a bigger form on a bulletin board.
I already have some cards that might work for you:
Long Vowel Cards–> https://thisreadingmama.com/vowel-teams-long-vowel-picture-cards/
Digraph Cards–> https://thisreadingmama.com/beginning-ending-digraph-cards/
Phonics Cards–> https://thisreadingmama.com/mega-pack-free-phonics-cards/
More Phonics Cards–> https://thisreadingmama.com/50-more-phonics-cards-free/
Do any of those work?
Oh Becky,
You must have heard me yesterday as I was using your Beginning Sounds Chart and wishing for an equally handy and beautiful Ending Sounds Chart! Today, it magically appeared!
YOU are an angel! Many thanks for all you do and all you share!
Ellen
You’re so welcome! 🙂