Alternative Spellings for Known Sounds
Recognise alternative grapheme-phoneme correspondences for known phonemes (e.g., /dʒ/ as ge/dge/g, /s/ as c, /n/ as kn/gn, /r/ as wr, /ʒ/ as s), reading words with less common spellings for familiar sounds
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Teaching Table
Set out your lesson
Try alternative spellings for familiar sounds while decoding new words.
Follow this model in an accessible mode before attempting independent work. Graph ordering is not learner mastery; revisit prerequisites if the guided task still needs full modeling.
Check readiness rather than assuming source graph order establishes attainment.
Show only stage word cards. Adult must not read target words first if assessing decoding. Accept accent variation. Open Show (S), then Guided (G), then Try (T). Hide earlier work and keys before Try. Use only the supplied stage material; do not invent additional cards. Pause or split the session if needed.
Materials are ready in each step. Use them on screen or print just the current step. Put teaching examples aside before the learner tries.
What this lesson covers and its limits
These are bounded opportunities, not learner attainment. Partial and blocked source requirements remain so.
- partial: Recognise alternative grapheme-phoneme correspondences for known phonemes (e.g., /dʒ/ as ge/dge/g, /s/ as c, /n/ as kn/gn, /r/ as wr, /ʒ/ as s), reading words with less common spellings for familiar sounds
Small fresh decoding sample; no claim of general fluency or independent spelling.
- partial: Read words with less common spellings for familiar sounds: 'badge', 'giraffe', 'city', 'knock', 'gnaw', 'write', 'treasure'
Small fresh decoding sample; no claim of general fluency or independent spelling.
- partial: Identify that the same phoneme can be represented by different graphemes (e.g., /dʒ/ spelled g, ge, dge)
Small fresh decoding sample; no claim of general fluency or independent spelling.
- partial: Select the correct alternative GPC to decode an unfamiliar word in context
Small fresh decoding sample; no claim of general fluency or independent spelling.
- partial: Does {{name}} know that the /j/ sound can be spelled different ways — like in 'jump', 'cage', and 'bridge' — and can they read words with these less common spellings?
Small fresh decoding sample; no claim of general fluency or independent spelling.
Small fresh decoding sample; no claim of general fluency or independent spelling.
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Try alternative spellings for familiar sounds while decoding new words.
Try alternative spellings for familiar sounds while decoding new words.
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Learning resources
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Check understanding
- Read words with less common spellings for familiar sounds: 'badge', 'giraffe', 'city', 'knock', 'gnaw', 'write', 'treasure'
- Identify that the same phoneme can be represented by different graphemes (e.g., /dʒ/ spelled g, ge, dge)
- Select the correct alternative GPC to decode an unfamiliar word in context
“Does your child know that the /j/ sound can be spelled different ways — like in 'jump', 'cage', and 'bridge' — and can they read words with these less common spellings?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Phonics & Word Reading
- Age range
- Ages 6–8
Standards