Spelling list: ay (play), level 3

The spelling pattern

Every word on this list contains ay (play). Seeing the same letters in many words helps children spot the pattern and spell new words that follow it. Level 3 is the most challenging set.

Ways to practise

• Read the list aloud, then cover each word and write it from memory.
• Use the fill-in sheet below: the pattern letters are blanked out.
• Sort the words by length or by where the pattern appears (start, middle or end).

Where the pattern appears

• At the end (20): jay, bray, clay, fray, quay, slay, spay, sway, allay, byway, foray, inlay, repay, unsay, astray, betray, dismay, heyday, hooray, expressway.

Sorting the words like this is a good first activity: children say each word, find the ay (play) letters and decide which group it belongs to. It shows that the same letters keep the same sound wherever they appear in a word.

Running a spelling test with this list

Read each word aloud, use it in a short sentence, then read it once more. Children write the word without looking. Mark the test with the list above and practise any misspelled words again the next day. Five or ten words at a time is plenty for younger children.