Year 1 common exception words are tricky words that pupils are expected to learn how to spell in year 1. These words are judged as being exceptions because they do not conform to normal phonic spelling patterns. As they are frequently used within sentences, it is important that children learn how to spell them. A list of the year 1 exception words can be found in appendix 1 of the national curriculum.
Here are five easy ways to help children learn how to spell the year 1 common exception words.
1. Look Cover Write Check
Look Cover Write Check is an established way of practising spellings. The fantastic freebie below available from Primary Texts, provides the year 1 common exception words organised into 8 look cover write check sheets. The sheets also incorporate an activity which requires pupils to select the correct common exception words to use in sentences. Click the image below to download this useful resource.
2. Timed Spelling Practice
Display a word from the year 1 common exception words list and give pupils a specified amount of time to practise writing it, for example, 5 minutes. Challenge them to see how many times they can write the word in the given time.
3. Rainbow Spellings
Have fun with spellings by asking pupils to write each letter of a selected spelling in a different colour.
4. Air Write Spellings
Display a list of common exception words and ask pupils to air write each one. Next, have the pupils try doing this activity in pairs. Using the format below will makes practising common exception words feel like a game.
Taking it in turns, pupils should:
- Choose a word from the list and air write it.
- Ask their partner if they can the word they chose.
- Repeat this activity taking it in turns.
5. Roll a Dice Spelling
This is another idea which makes learning spelling into a game. Display or give pupils a list of 5 or 6 of the year 1 common exception words.
- Begin with the first word on the list.
- Roll a dice (this could be done individually, in pairs or as a whole class activity with selected pupils chosen to roll the dice).
- Ask pupils to write out the word the number of times shown on the dice.
- Repeat the roll a dice activity for all the words in the spelling list.
Looking for more ideas and resources to help teach year 1 common exception words? You might like our year 1 common exception words pack. This pack includes:
- PPT with a variety of activities to help pupils practise spellings
- Look Cover Write Check sheets with sentence activities allowing students to use the words in context
- A word mat containing all the words for easy reference
- Words arranged into lists for reference and display
Click the image below for more information.
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