Grades 2–4
Plurals: Add -s, -es or -ies?
Twelve nouns to sort by their plural ending, with toy and key as traps, then the plurals to write.
Writing worksheet · Spelling and word sorts
Spelling Sort: -ch or -tch?
Twelve words to finish with -ch or -tch and sort, the short-vowel spelling rule.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–4
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Spelling patterns, Word study, Spelling rules and generalizations, Self-checking spelling
What kids do
“Use -tch right after a short vowel (catch). Use -ch after a long vowel, a vowel team or a consonant (beach, lunch). Finish and sort each word.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Write a sentence with one -ch word and one -tch word.
Teacher tip
Teach the rule: -tch comes right after a short vowel (catch), and -ch after a long vowel or a consonant (beach, bench).
How to use it
- Read each word aloud and have kids repeat it before they write.
- Introduce the pattern with a short list on the board and underline it.
- Read the directions aloud so the sheet is about writing, not decoding the directions.
Watch for
Kids who memorize words without the pattern. Ask them to spell a new word with it.
Talk about it
- Which word broke the rule?
- Where else do writers use this skill?
Take it further
Have kids hunt for the pattern in a library book and list what they find.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More spelling and word sorts
Grades 3–4
Spelling Sort: -ge or -dge?
Twelve words to finish with -ge or -dge and sort, a short-vowel rule like -ck and -tch.
Grades 3–5
Double, Drop or Just Add -ed?
Twelve verbs to sort by how they take -ed, the doubling and drop-the-e rules, then the past tense to write.
Grades 4–5
Spelling Sort: -able or -ible?
Twelve words to finish with -able or -ible and sort, with the whole-word tip for upper grades.
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