Grades 3–5
Prefixes: dis-, mis- and pre-
Nine words to build with dis-, mis- or pre- from their meanings, like misspell and preheat.
Writing worksheet · Spelling and word sorts
Spelling Sort: -er or -or?
Twelve people words like teacher and sailor to finish with -er or -or and sort.
- Grade level
- Grades 4–5
- Time
- About 25 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
“Both -er and -or can mean “a person who.” They sound the same, so you have to learn which is which. Finish and sort each word.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Which job would you like? Write a sentence with an -er or -or word.
Teacher tip
Have kids list people jobs they know and sort them before starting the sheet.
How to use it
- Let kids sort words with a partner first, then check together.
- Have kids say the word slowly and tap the sounds.
- Read the directions aloud so the sheet is about writing, not decoding the directions.
Watch for
Frustration on long lists. Split the sheet into two short sessions.
Talk about it
- What pattern did you notice?
- Which sentence on your sheet are you proudest of? Why?
Take it further
Play a quick spelling relay with whiteboards at the end of the week.
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 3–5
Suffixes: -ful, -less and -ness
Ten word meanings to turn into one word with -ful, -less or -ness, including happiness with its y to i.
Grades 1–3
Rainbow Write Spelling Words
Rainbow writing for any spelling list: ten words, each written three more times in different colors.
Grades 1–2
Word Shape Boxes
Eight word shapes to fill: kids match each word to its tall, small and tail letter boxes.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.