Forest Friends - Phase Two and Three and Tricky Words

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About This Spelling Book

This spelling book is designed to help your child to develop confident spelling knowledge through regular, manageable practice. Each set contains five carefully selected words: three phonics-based and two tricky words.

The Two-Week Practice Approach

Each spelling set is designed to be practised over two weeks. This extended timeframe is crucial for effective learning. When children encounter the same words multiple times across several days, they can develop automatic recognition and spelling ability. If your child is able to recall the words, please keep rehearsing to improve their chances of permanently recalling them. Spacing out practice over time, rather than trying to learn in one session, is proven to move information from short-term to long-term memory.

Daily Practice Tips

Keep practice short and positive: just two to three minutes daily is more effective than longer, infrequent sessions.

• For phonics words: Help your child to sound out each part of the word and identify the pattern they are learning. Scroll down to view a phonics mats and supporting files.
• For tricky words: Encourage your child to spot the 'tricky part' that doesn't follow the rules and find ways to remember it.

Supporting Your Child

• Celebrate effort and improvement, not just correct spellings.
• Avoid phrases like, “You knew that one yesterday.” to encourage your child to recognise mistakes as an inevitable part of the learning journey. “It’s ok. Good learning takes time.” This will help to build positive resilience.
• Make practice fun and varied to maintain interest. Why not try a sparkly gel pen? Why not paint them in water on paving stones outside? For more ideas to motivate and to encourage positive conversations about inaccuracies, please visit our activities page for more ideas.
• Be patient – everyone learns at their own pace. 

Retaining and applying learning

Remember: consistent practice over the two-week period will give your child the best chance to master these spellings and build their confidence as a speller. Encourage your child to write these words accurately when trying to write a sentence.  Writing correctly in sentences is trickier than it sounds and will take practice. Try to go back to previous words every now and again.

Thank you for supporting your child to flourish.