Homophones
These words sound identical but mean different things and are spelled differently, so hearing the word is no help at all - only the meaning tells you which one to write.
Example words
- there
- their
- they're
- to
- too
- two
- here
- hear
- see
- sea
- where
- wear
- one
- won
- practice
- practise
When it's taught
From the National Curriculum for England (English Appendix 1):
Y2Homophones and near-homophones
Examples: there, their, they're, hear, here
Y3 / 4Homophones and near-homophones
Examples: accept, except, peace, piece
Y5 / 6Homophones and other words that are often confused
Examples: advice, advise, device, devise, licence, license, practice, practise, stationary, stationery
UK and US spellingIn British English, practice and advice are nouns and practise and advise are verbs: 'I need to practise' but 'football practice'. American English keeps advice and advise the same way but writes practice for both the noun and the verb. More UK and US differences.
Practise this pattern
Dictation sentences
Read each one aloud and ask your child to write it down.
- Their dog is over there.
- I can hear the sea from here.
- We need two more, and you can come too.
Quick check
Can they spell these without help?
- blew
- won
- wear
- which
Keep going
- Year 2 spelling words - the statutory list with a free worksheet
- Year 3 and 4 spelling words - the statutory list with a free worksheet
- Year 5 and 6 spelling words - the statutory list with a free worksheet
- Printable spelling test sheet - for writing the words on paper
- Practise in Spelling.Live - add these words as a list, take a Skills Check, or play games built from them
Teaching this pattern
A short lesson idea with a starter, an activity, dictation sentences and words to check.DRAFT
Teaching guide