The unstressed vowel (schwa)
In longer words one vowel gets squashed into a lazy "uh" sound, so you cannot hear which letter it is - the a in "separate", the o in "chocolate". Saying the word the way it is spelled, just while learning it, is the usual fix.
Example words
- separate
- different
- chocolate
- family
- library
- February
- Wednesday
- interest
- definite
- necessary
- animal
- vegetable
Practise this pattern
Dictation sentences
Read each one aloud and ask your child to write it down.
- My family had chocolate cake on Wednesday.
- Put the different colours in separate piles.
- The library opens again in February.
Quick check
Can they spell these without help?
- separate
- different
- library
- February
Keep going
- 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