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Year 4

Investigating homophones

I can spell homophones and revise previously taught homophones.

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New
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Year 4

Investigating homophones

I can spell homophones and revise previously taught homophones.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Words that are pronounced the same but have different spellings and meanings are called homophones.
  2. Unlike other words we have investigated, there are no patterns for homophones.
  3. The way a word is spelt and its place within a sentence will tell us its meaning.
  4. How to spell the curriculum words: straight, caught and possess.

Keywords

  • Homophone - words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings

Common misconception

Homophones sound the same, so they may rely on previous spelling rules and so, spell them the same.

Spend time showing each word in a sentence, use images to support understanding and make sure each homophone is practised using a strategy.

Make learning homophones fun by using a variety of creative strategies. Link the words with others e.g. Hear with your ears. Here is a place - like there and where. Look for small words in a word e.g. there's a pie in piece. A piece of pie.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:homonym,words that sound or are spelt the same

words that sound or are spelt the same

Correct Answer:homophone,words that sound the same but have different spellings

words that sound the same but have different spellings

Q2.
Choose the correct spelling to complete the following sentence. I tied a __________ in my shoes laces.
not
Correct answer: knot
Q3.
Match the homophones.
Correct Answer:great,grate

grate

Correct Answer:hair,hare

hare

Correct Answer:wait,weight

weight

Correct Answer:our,hour

hour

Correct Answer:ball,bawl

bawl

Q4.
Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold. Make sure you bough when you meet them.
Correct answer: bow
bou
bowe
bau
Q5.
Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold. I shot the arrow from my boa.
Correct answer: bow
bo
bowe
Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence. I enjoyed myself at the Christmas fare.
Correct Answer: fair

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Select the pair of homophones.
Correct answer: medal
medallion
metal
Correct answer: meddle
Q2.
Match the homophones.
Correct Answer:beach,beech

beech

Correct Answer:heal,he'll

he'll

Correct Answer:piece,peace

peace

Q3.
Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold. My keys are over ther.
their
Correct answer: there
they're
Q4.
Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold. The river's curant was very strong.
Correct answer: current
currant
currint
curent
Q5.
Choose the correct spelling to complete the following sentence. I picked a __________ from the bush.
Correct answer: berry
bury
beret
berree
Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence. She confidently cort the ball.
Correct Answer: caught

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