Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Spelling Pattern Sort Race: Free Printable Game for Year 2
- ForYear 2
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Spelling Pattern Sort Race is a free printable game for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). Children sort words by how the long a sound is spelt, using cards they cut out. It is for two to four players and needs scissors. Page 2 gives the adult notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to the children and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 is a card game. Children cut out the word cards, then read each word aloud and listen for the long a sound. Next they look closely at the letters that make that sound and sort the word into the right pile. Players can each sort their own set, or share one set and race. The aim is to notice that one sound can be spelt in more than one way.
- rain
- day
- cake
- train
- play
- name
- paint
- say
- make
- tray
- snail
- gate
How to play
Get ready
Print both pages and keep page 2 for the adult. Cut out the cards on page 1. Younger children may like an adult to help with the scissors. Spread the cards out where everyone can see them.
Read first
Before sorting a card, read the word aloud. Say it slowly and listen for the long a sound. Then look at the letters that make that sound.
Sort and race
Each player can sort their own set. Or share one set and race to sort the cards into piles by spelling pattern. Take turns to be the checker.
Check and talk
Use the answers on page 2 to check the piles. Ask each player how they decided where a word belonged. Then shuffle the cards and play again.
Why sort words by spelling pattern?
The long a sound is the sound you hear when you say the name of the letter a. In English, this one sound can be spelt in several ways. That surprises many young spellers. A child who knows only one spelling will often write a word in a way that sounds right but looks wrong. Sorting words helps children see that there is more than one choice.
Sorting is a good way to learn spelling because children handle the words and compare them. They stop, look at the letters and notice what words have in common. In Year 2, children learn that the same sound can be spelt in different ways, and they practise the common patterns. Seeing the words in groups helps the patterns stick in memory.
Skills and curriculum link
- Spelling patterns
- Sorting words
- Reading words aloud
- Listening for sounds
- Comparing spellings
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | English | Writing: transcription (spelling) | Year 2 |
What children will be able to do
- I can sort words by how the long a sound is spelt.
- I can spot spelling patterns such as ai, ay and a_e.
- I can spell some new words using the right pattern.
Ideas to know before you play
- One sound, many spellingsEnglish often has more than one way to spell the same sound. Children learn to look carefully as well as listen.
- DigraphA digraph is two letters that work together to make one sound. Children may know digraphs from Year 1 phonics.
- Split digraphA split digraph is a pair of letters with another letter between them. The a_e pattern on the sheet is one of these.
- Say it, then lookSaying a word slowly helps children hear the sound first. Then they can study which letters are making it.
Key words
- PatternA way of spelling a sound that turns up in many different words.
- Long a soundThe sound you hear in the name of the letter a.
- DigraphTwo letters that work together to make one sound.
- Split digraphTwo letters that make one sound but have another letter between them, like the a_e pattern.
- SortPut things into groups because they have something in common.
- SpellingThe letters used to write a word in the right order.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the children. Keep page 2 for the adult, because it has the notes and answers.
- Cut out the cards. Choose whether each player sorts a set, or everyone shares one set and races.
- Work through the first few words together. Read each word aloud and talk about each choice.
- Check the piles against the answers on page 2. Ask, How did you decide which pile this word belonged in?
- Come back to it another day and play again. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Read each word aloud before sorting it. Say it slowly and stretch out the sounds. Start with a few cards and sort those first. Ask the child to point to the letters that make the long a sound, then add more cards.
To stretch confident children
Think of one more word for each pile and write it down. Then try to say it in a sentence. Challenge a partner to spell a new word using one of the patterns, and check it together.
Make it a game
Shuffle the cards and play again, trying to beat your best time. Or take turns to pick a card and read it aloud without showing the spelling. Your partner says which pile it belongs in.
Talk about it
- Which spelling patterns made the long a sound in your words?
- How did you decide which pile a word belonged in?
- Can you think of another word that fits one of the piles?
- Which word was the trickiest to place, and why?
- Did any words sound the same but look different?
- What helps you remember how to spell a word?
Take it off the page
Word hunt
Look through a favourite book together. Find words with the long a sound and write them on paper. Sort them by how the sound is spelt.
Rhyme chain
Take turns saying words that rhyme with a word you choose. Then write them down and see whether they all use the same spelling pattern.
Pencil spelling practice
Say a word with the long a sound and ask your child to write it. Let them check it against a word they know is right, then try another.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Read the words aloud together and talk about each choice. Keep rounds short, and play again another day.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups. It links to the transcription strand of English writing in Year 2.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider English plan. It pairs well with reading books and everyday talk about words. You can use the cards again for brothers and sisters, or to revise the patterns a few weeks later.
Where this fits in learning
Before this, children in Year 1 learn that letters and groups of letters stand for sounds. They meet digraphs and begin to read and spell simple words. They also learn to blend sounds to read and to break words into sounds to spell.
After this, children keep learning other ways to spell sounds and use them in their own writing. They also meet spelling rules and common tricky words. Noticing patterns, as in this game, is a habit that supports all later spelling.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Which spelling patterns made the long a sound in your words?
- How did you decide which pile a word belonged in?
- Can you think of another word that fits one of the piles?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Spelling Pattern Sort Race for?
It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can try it with help, and older children who need extra spelling practice may also find it useful.
- What will children practise?
They practise sorting words by the spelling pattern for the long a sound. Along the way they read words aloud, listen for sounds and compare how different words are spelt.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages and cut out the cards on page 1. It is for two to four players. Each player sorts a set, or share one set and race. Check the piles with page 2.
- What if it feels too hard?
Read each word aloud before sorting it. Say it slowly so the sounds are clear. Try only a few cards at first, then add more. Work through the first words together and talk about each choice.
- Is it free, and do I need colour?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. You do not need colour. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. You will need scissors to cut out the cards.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- Is it a screen free activity, and can I use it for home education?
Yes to both. It needs only paper, scissors and a pencil, so it suits quiet time and rainy days. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.