If time allows have the children read their sorts to you so that you know if they are able to use the patterns to decode the words and read them correctly. You can informally assess the students while they are working on the sorts, but you can also give each child a piece of construction paper to glue the final sort onto. As they finish sorting check over their work and then have them mix up the words and practice the sort again. While the students are working, monitor their progress and help anyone who is struggling with the task. After placing the three guide words at the top of their desks, have the children work alone or in pairs to read each word and place it in the correct column. Next, give the students a copy of the long -a word sort and ask them to cut out the words. For each word to fit into a column, it must look and sound the same as the guide word in that column. You may also want to underline the spelling pattern in each word so that the children are really focusing on the patterns. Show the students cards with the words shape, day, rain, lake, tape and wait written on them.įor each word have the children read it out loud and place each word in the correct/matching column. Place each card in the top of a pocket chart to make three columns. Explain that though these are not the only ways to spell the long ‘a’ sound, they are some of the most common and that they are the patterns that you will be working with. Finally write the word say on a card, read it and underline the -ay. Underline the -ame and tell them that this is the -aCe pattern_._ On another index card, write the word mail, read it and underline the -ai. Read the word with the class and ask them which letters make the long ‘a’ pattern in the word. Ask if they can think of any and write down the ones that they say. Tell the children that there are several spelling patterns for the long ‘a’ sound. Review the short and long sounds of the letter ‘a.’ Have the children tell you a few words that make each sound. It can easily be adapted by changing the patterns and words that you use. This lesson plan focuses on the long ‘a’ patterns of -aCe, -ai, and -ay. This first grade spelling lesson plans with word sorts can be used as a whole class or in small groups and are easily modified to teach spellers of all levels. Words sorts are a great way to help your students learn to analyze words to look for spelling patterns.

Sight word lesson plans for 1st grade