This set of steps (taken from Coady & Nation (1988)) with a worked example shows students one process for doing a ‘best guess’ of what to do when they come across a new word. Followed by a set of 10 exercises with some lovely, unusual words.
Editor's note
Fully mapped to GCSE and the new 2018 Functional English content
Level
E3
L1
L2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE E3.11 Use effective strategies to find the meaning of words (e.g. a dictionary, working out meaning from context; using knowledge of different word types)
FE L1.17 Read and understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
This is a short explanation with examples of eight sorts of conjunctive adverb arranged by type. There is an activity to complete, as well as some stretch/research activities for differentiation.
Editor’s note
Fully mapped to L2 Functional English and GCSE English
Level
L2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers (e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes and quotation marks)
FE L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently and accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
I’m using this activity to give learners a writing frame for a piece of creative writing. I want them to really think about purpose of text when they are creating it, so they have to pick the format, style and tone of their work and plan it out.
Level
E3
L1
L2
GCSE L1-5
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/L2.7
Wt/L2.5
Wt/L2.1
Wt/L1.6
Wt/L1.4
Wt/L1.1
Wt/E3.4
Wt/E3.1
(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences
Visual colour-coded resource, explaining the main plural spelling rules. Created for E2/E3 learners, but could also be useful for all visual learners working between E2-L2.
Includes: colour-coded fact sheet, blank table, worksheet and flash cards to cut out and laminate. Could be used for a number of different activities.
Word root ‘port’ (to carry) word map for spelling and vocabulary work and teacher reference / inspiration! Designed to help students build words and make vocabulary connections. Use for spelling, parts of speech, affixes, or vocabulary work. Also makes a lovely display poster if blown up to A3.
Suffixes and SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review). Two more wonderful mind maps from Nikki Brown. One summarises spelling rules for adding suffixes and is accompanied by 3 pages of revision worksheets. The second one sums up the SQ3R reading strategy – which can be useful for dyslexia and general reading support.
Please also download the separate answer sheet for the suffix questions.