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The Kn and Wr Spellings: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 2

  • ForYear 2
  • StageKey Stage 1
  • CostFree
  • FormatPrintable PDF
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The Kn and Wr Spellings is a free printable spelling worksheet for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). Children find words in a word search, all of them starting with a silent k or a silent w. They say each word aloud and notice that the first letter is written but not heard.

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 your child and keep page 2 for yourself. It has notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

Children use a word search to find the words on a hidden word list. Every word begins with a silent k or a silent w, so each one starts with kn or wr. As they find each word, children read it, say it aloud and look closely at how it begins. The task is quiet, careful and screen free. It needs only a pencil.

  • KNIGHT
  • KNOCK
  • KNEE
  • KNIFE
  • KNOT
  • WRITE
  • WRONG
  • WRAP
  • WRIST
  • WREN

Why are some letters silent?

English spelling often keeps clues from the past. Long ago, people said the k in words like knee and the w in words like write. Over time the way we say these words changed, but the spelling stayed. That is why kn and wr look odd to young spellers. The letters are there for a reason, even though we no longer say them.

For a child in Year 2, the useful idea is simple. Some spellings are patterns to learn, not sounds to work out. In a kn word, the first sound is n. In a wr word, the first sound is r. Seeing the same pattern in many words, saying them aloud and writing them by hand helps the spelling stick.

Word facts

  • Hundreds of years ago, people said the k in knee. The spelling still shows it, even though we do not.
  • Words starting with kn begin with an n sound. Words starting with wr begin with an r sound.
  • The silent letter comes first in these words. The sound you hear comes second.
  • A wren is a very small brown bird with a short tail that often points upwards.
  • Silent letters are a clue that a word has a long history.

Skills and curriculum link

  • Spelling silent k words
  • Spelling silent w words
  • Phonics
  • Careful reading
  • Word search skills

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 spell words that start with silent k.
  • I can spell words that start with silent w.
  • I can say which letter is silent in a word.

Ideas that help with kn and wr

  • Say it, then lookSay the word slowly. Then look at the first two letters. Ask which letter you can hear and which you cannot.
  • Match sound to patternIf a word starts with an n sound, it may be a kn word. If it starts with an r sound, it may be a wr word. Both have a silent first letter.
  • Cover and checkCover the first letter and read what is left. Uncover it and see how the word looks with the silent letter added.
  • Write it by handWriting a word a few times, saying it each time, helps children remember where the silent letter goes.

Key words

  • Silent letterA letter that is in the spelling of a word but is not heard when you say it.
  • Spelling patternA group of letters that often appear together in words, such as kn or wr.
  • PhonicsMatching the sounds we hear to the letters we write.
  • Word searchA grid of letters with words hidden inside. You look for them and circle them.
  • First soundThe sound you hear at the very start of a word.
  • Word listA set of words to find or practise.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
  2. Read the instructions together. Say the first word on the list aloud before searching for it.
  3. Let your child search for the words on their own. Encourage them to say each word as they find it.
  4. Check against page 2 together. Ask, "Which letter is silent in this word?"
  5. Come back another day and try writing some of the words from memory. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence.

Help, stretch and game ideas

If it feels too hard

Read the words slowly, one at a time. Cover the first letter and say what is left. Then uncover it and talk about the silent letter. Find and circle just a few words first, and come back to the rest later.

To stretch confident children

Write a sentence that uses three of the words from the sheet. Then try to write a new sentence from memory, without looking at the list. Check the spelling of each kn and wr word carefully afterwards.

Make it a game

Take turns to be the caller. One person reads a word from the list aloud. The other writes it down without looking. Check the spelling together and give a point for each word spelled correctly.

Mistakes to watch for

Watch forA child spells a wr word with kn, for example writing knap for wrap. The two patterns have been mixed up.

Try thisSay the first sound aloud. Wrap starts with an r sound, so it uses wr. Words starting with an n sound use kn. Say both words and compare.

Watch forA child leaves out the silent letter and writes nife for knife.

Try thisSay the word, then point to the first two letters. Explain that the k is there even though we cannot hear it. Cover and write it again.

Watch forA child finds a word in the grid but cannot spell it afterwards.

Try thisAsk them to say the word aloud after circling it. Then cover the word, write it from memory and check it.

Talk about it

  • Which words on the list start with the same two letters?
  • Which letter can you not hear at the start of a word?
  • Why might it be tricky to spell a word with a silent letter?
  • Can you think of a word that starts with kn that is not on the sheet?
  • Which word was hardest to find? Why?
  • How could you remember where the silent letter goes?

Take it off the page

Sky writing

Write each word in the air with a finger, saying the letters aloud. Then write it on paper and check the first two letters.

Silent letter hunt

Look through a favourite picture book for words with a silent first letter. Make a list and read it out together.

Draw and label

Draw a simple picture for some of the words on the list and write the word underneath. Say each word as you label it.

Who it is for

Parents

Sit with your child for the first go, then let them lead. Short sessions work best. Praise careful looking and good listening, not only correct answers, and ask your child to say each word aloud.

Teachers

Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas, so it suits mixed ability groups.

Home educators

Print it as part of a wider English plan. It pairs well with reading aloud and everyday talk about words. Print it again for brothers and sisters, or for revision a few weeks later.

Where this fits

Before this sheet, children learn to match sounds to letters and to spell simple words using phonics. They also begin to meet spellings that do not follow the sounds they expect.

After this sheet, children go on to learn other spelling patterns and common exception words. They also use the spellings they know in their own sentences and stories.

Check it worked

Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.

  1. Which letter do you not hear at the start of knee?
  2. Can you think of another word that starts with wr?
  3. How can you remember how to spell knock?

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is The Kn and Wr Spellings for?

It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Children who are a little younger or older may also enjoy it, depending on how confident they are with spelling and reading.

What will children practise?

They practise spelling words that begin with a silent k or a silent w. They find the words in a word search and say each one aloud, which builds both spelling and phonics skills.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, and it needs only plain A4 paper and a pencil.

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 page 2 has support and stretch ideas.

Is this a screen free activity?

Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. It also gives children practice with careful reading and handwriting.

What if it feels too hard?

Slow down. Read the words one at a time, cover the first letter and say what is left. Try a few words first and return to the rest another day. Page 2 has more ideas.

Do I need to print in colour?

No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Colour is not needed, though children may enjoy circling the words they find with a coloured pencil.

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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.

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