Part 2: Writing


SPELLING SCRIPT FOR INSTANT WORDS

[The primary purpose of these exercises is to teach the learner to recognize and to spell the "instant words" or words that he needs to recognize instantly because they occur so frequently. The exercises can also be used to assess a learner's ability.

The "Look (and analyze), Copy, Cover, Write, and Check" method of drilling the spelling is used.

Start working gradually on these instant words when you finish with the "Onsets, Rimes, and Endings" in Spelling Script 1. Print the exercises so that you can put marks by the words. Go at a comfortable pace for the learner.

Periodically review problem words.]

We see and use some words so often we call them "instant words" because we must be able to say them or spell them instantly. You will now study those words.

There are three kinds of instant words: [1] There are "icky" words in which the spelling doesn't match some of the sounds. [Marked with pound signs.] Remember both the word's real pronunciation and its spelling pronunciation. [2] There are "tricky" words in which some of the sounds are spelled in a less common or "other" way. Remember those other spellings. [Marked with asterisks.] 3) Finally, there are "friendly" words in which the sounds are spelled in the most common way.


Script for Spelling Instant Words

  1. We will read a phrase of a couple of words together.
    • [For "friendly" words:] Copy the words saying the onset and rime as you write them.
    • [If there is a "tricky" spelling, read the explanation or ask this:] What is the tricky or "other" sound spelling in this word?
      Copy the words saying the onset and rime as you write them.
    • [If there is a "icky" spelling, read the explanation and say this:] The real pronunciation is /____/, but the spelling pronunciation is /____/. Remember both.
      Copy the words saying the sounds that are regular as you write them.
    Turn your paper over and write the words.
    Check to see that you spelled them correctly.
    [Have the routine repeated for misspelled words..]
  2. Having finished the line, I will point to phrases out of order, and you say them "quick as flash." [Drill until mastered. Put a check by problem phrases.]
    [Go on to the next line and repeat the steps.]

Review of lines in the group just finished:
  1. I will point to your problem phrases in the group, and you say them "quick as a flash."
  2. I will say your problem phrases, and you say and write the words.
    {Celebrate after each group is mastered.]


GROUP 1: The most common instant words. I will read a step, and then we will do it.

(/thuh/) the* hen --- (/thee/) the egg** --- (/uh/) a hen --- an egg
* "Hen" starts with a consonant so "the" is pronounced /thuh/.
** The /eg/ sound pattern usually ends with just one "g" as in "leg." "Egg" starts with a vowel, so we say "/thee/ egg" instead of "/thuh/ egg."

you* and me --- to* school** --- at home --- do* it --- go in
* "o-u" and "o" are other ways to spell the /oo/ sound. Compare the spelling and pronunciation of "to" and "do" with "go."
** "c-h" is another way to spell the /k-k-k/ sound.

that one# --- this* one --- these books --- those books --- with them
# When you hear the word "one," think of its spelling pronunciation, which is /oan/. Don't confuse it with another word as in "Our team won, which is spelled "w-o-n."
* It is more common to spell an ending /s/ sound with two rather than one "s." One "s" usually has the /z/ sound as in "his" "was."

GROUP 2:

I am --- you are# --- he is --- she is --- we have* --- he has
# The ending "e" in "are" /ar/ is not regular. The "e" should make it /air/ as in "care."
* "Have" has a closed "a" sound, but it ends with an "e." It is not a signal "e" telling us that the "a" has an open sound. It was put there because no English word can end with a "v."

I was# --- you were## --- we had --- she will be --- not him
# The /uh/ sound is "was" is spelled with an "a" instead of "u." The "s" spelling of the /z--/ is common.
## "Were" shouldn't have the ending "e."

my book --- his book --- her book --- our books --- your book --- their books

GROUP 3:

one# of these --- all of those --- none# of that --- all gone#
# Compare "one," "none," and "gone" with the regularly spelled "bone."

yes or no --- on it --- by it --- this or that --- no one --- not now

then what# --- more than one --- go where --- which one --- for this
# When you hear "what," remember that it is spelled with an "a" rather than a "u."

GROUP 4:

over there* --- not here* --- now when--- how tall --- as big
* "e-r-e" is another way to spell the /air/ and /ear/ sound patterns.

other* books --- her mother --- his brother --- another sister
* "o" is another spelling of the /uh/ sound.

if so --- she said# --- I say --- come# here --- some# water

GROUP 5:

get up --- go out --- about now --- any# time --- been## there
## When you hear "been" /bin/, don't confuse it with "bin" as in "dust bin." English people do pronounce it as it is spelled, /bean/.

would* go --- could* go --- should* go --- many men
* "o-u" is an icky way of spelling /oo/ as in "good" and "l-d" is an icky way of spelling /d/.

into the box --- I see --- look here --- take this --- took that

GROUP 6:

this way --- we may --- they can --- one day --- its color#

so what --- from here --- who* is --- whose* book --- to whom*
*"w-h" is an "other" way of spelling the /h--/ sound and "o" is another way of spelling /oo/ as in "food."

one dog --- two cats --- three fish --- four# birds --- for me

GROUP 7:

first grade --- second grade --- third grade --- fourth grade

I did --- got one --- one person --- two# people# --- only# us

new toy --- my own --- I know* --- she knew --- get down
* "k-n" is another spelling of the /n/ sound.

GROUP 8:

made it--- make one --- take two cookies --- too little --- too large*
* The purpose of the ending "e" is to soften the "g."

one word --- like it --- more food --- call home --- even one

give some --- gave none --- very good --- every time

GROUP 9:

one part --- work hard --- back to work --- our place*
* The ending "e" signals an open "a" sound, and it also softens the "c."

most girls --- because* of it --- just one --- must go
*"s-e" is an "other" way of selling the /z--/ sound.

both boys --- this thing --- think hard --- thank you

GROUP 10:

through* there --- just one --- she came --- he went
* "o-u-g-h" is pronounced in several ways. (See Below.)

just a thought --- same day --- help her --- such as

even though --- write often* --- right hand --- much more ---
* "f-t" spells the "other" or /f--/ sound and the "e" is "flattened" in the weak syllable.

GROUP 11:

want* more --- too small --- tell her --- not well

put it here --- it does** --- who goes* --- why now --- also came
* The "e-s" is an ending for "do" and for "go."
** The "o" in "does" has its other /uh/ sound.

after dark --- before morning --- not again* /agen/--- off and on --- take away

GROUP 12:

below it --- between them --- behind it --- near it --- under it

never try --- stand still --- find it --- this kind --- learn* it

last time --- we saw --- a few more --- come along --- next one

GROUP 13:

open the door --- left hand --- while ago --- something else

they might* --- night and day --- seem to --- begin soon
* "i-g-h" is a common spelling for the /eye/ sound.

different house --- move it --- always try --- how high

GROUP 14:

ask for the ax --- more than ever --- never mind --- ate it

all around --- lost and found --- enough* time --- whole thing
* "O-u-g-h" spells an "other" sound pattern, which is /uff/.

less often* --- until then --- once* more --- each one* --- Mr. & Mrs.
* "f-t" spells the "other" or /f--/ sound.

GROUP 15:

during dinner --- before lunch --- since when --- piece* of cake

use it --- don't lose it --- it's loose --- go fast --- its true

better or best --- shall be --- great# day --- for or against

GROUP 16:

being there --- but then --- this guy --- buy this one --- by the tree

of course# --- either way --- neither way ---how far --- full glass

don't laugh# --- more light --- long or short --- might be
# The "a-u" is an "icky" way to spell the /a--/ sound and "g-h" is another way to spell the /f/ sound.

GROUP 17:

nothing* more --- go play --- read some more
* "o" is an "other" way to spell the /uh/ sound.

stop here --- not today --- who told* --- old* man
* We would expect the "o" to spell the weak sound as in "fond."

upon a star --- walk* faster --- last year
* "l-k" is another spelling of the /k/ sound. The "l" is "silent."

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