Grade: Grade 2 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Spelling Patterns Lesson: 4 of 6 SAT: StandardEnglishConventions ACT: English

Writing Application

Use spelling patterns correctly when writing your own sentences and stories.

Learn

The best way to remember spelling patterns is to use them in your own writing. When you write sentences and stories, you practice spelling and make your writing more interesting.

Tips for Writing with Spelling Patterns

  1. Think before you write. What word do you want to use? What pattern does it have?
  2. Say the word slowly. Listen for the long vowel sound.
  3. Choose the right pattern. Is it silent e? A vowel team? Write it out.
  4. Check your work. Does the word look right? Read it back.

Building Sentences with Pattern Words

Start simple, then make your sentences more interesting:

Simple: The cat is cute.

Better: The cute cat hides under the gate.

Best: The cute gray cat hides under the white gate in the shade.

Notice how adding more pattern words (cute, hides, gate, white, shade) makes the sentence more detailed!

Examples

Example 1: Writing a Sentence with Silent E Words

Task: Write a sentence using at least 3 silent e words.

Word choices: bike, ride, lane, safe

Sentence: "I ride my bike in the safe lane."

Check: ride (i_e), bike (i_e), safe (a_e), lane (a_e) - 4 silent e words!

Example 2: Writing with Vowel Teams

Task: Write a sentence about the beach using vowel team words.

Word choices: beach, sea, play, day, coat

Sentence: "We play at the beach by the sea on a sunny day."

Check: play (ay), beach (ea), sea (ea), day (ay) - 4 vowel team words!

Example 3: Writing a Short Story

Task: Write 3-4 sentences about a pet. Use spelling patterns.

Story:

"I have a cute dog named Jake. He likes to chase his bone in the backyard. Jake can run really fast. At night, he sleeps by my feet."

Pattern words used: cute (u_e), named (a_e), Jake (a_e), chase (a_e), bone (o_e), night (igh), sleeps (ee), feet (ee)

Practice

Complete these writing activities on your own paper.

Part A: Sentence Building

Write a sentence using the given pattern words.

1. Use these silent e words in one sentence: home, make, bake

Example start: "At home, I..."

2. Use these silent e words in one sentence: time, five, ride

Think about: telling time, counting, going somewhere

3. Use these vowel team words in one sentence: rain, day, play

What happens on a rainy day?

4. Use these vowel team words in one sentence: boat, float, sea

Think about being on the water.

Part B: Story Starters

Finish each story starter. Use at least 3 spelling pattern words.

5. "One fine day, Kate went to the lake..."

What did Kate do at the lake? What did she see?

6. "The brave knight had to save..."

Who did the knight save? How?

Part C: Picture Writing

Write 3-4 sentences about each topic. Try to use many spelling pattern words.

7. Write about your favorite game to play outside.

Words you might use: play, game, race, hide, chase, team, goal

8. Write about a dream vacation.

Words you might use: plane, ride, beach, boat, time, nice, huge

Part D: Word Challenge

Can you write a sentence using ALL of these words?

9. Challenge words: smile, wave, blue, white

10. Challenge words: stone, creek, green, tree

11. Super challenge! Write 2 sentences using these 6 words: Pete, bike, rode, trail, deep, stream

12. Create your own! Write a 4-sentence story using at least 8 different spelling pattern words. Underline the pattern words when you are done.

Check Your Understanding

Review what you learned about using spelling patterns in writing.

Question 1: What are the four steps for writing with spelling patterns?

Show Answer

1) Think before you write. 2) Say the word slowly. 3) Choose the right pattern. 4) Check your work.

Question 2: Why is it helpful to use spelling pattern words in your writing?

Show Answer

Using pattern words helps you remember spellings better, makes your writing more detailed and interesting, and gives you practice with the patterns.

Question 3: Look at this sentence: "I hop to com home soon." What spelling mistakes can you find? How should they be fixed?

Show Answer

"hop" should be "hope" (needs silent e for long o sound). "com" should be "come" (needs silent e). Correct sentence: "I hope to come home soon."

Next Steps

  • Write in a journal every day using spelling pattern words
  • Share your stories with a family member or friend
  • Keep a list of pattern words you want to use in your writing
  • Move on to the next lesson: Editing Workshop