A word-pattern bank collects a few examples of sound–spelling patterns or word parts that repeatedly cause difficulty. It provides a useful reference during homework without becoming a long glossary.

Choose patterns from real work

Add a pattern only when it appears in current reading or homework. Record:

• the pattern or word part;

• one clear example;

• how it is pronounced; and

• another related word where useful.

For example:

• photo relates to light: photograph, photosynthesis

• tion often sounds like “shun”: reaction, population

• geo relates to earth: geography, geology

Keep the active bank small. Five useful entries are easier to revisit than several pages copied from a dictionary.

Use it during homework

When a similar word appears, ask the young person to check the bank before providing the pronunciation. Compare the new word with the existing example, then say and read the complete word.

Revisit the entries briefly across the week. Remove or archive a pattern once the young person recognises it without checking.

English doesn’t always follow its own patterns, so encourage a quick check when a word looks or sounds different from the example.