English·Phonics & Word Reading·procedural
Decoding unfamiliar words
Read Y3-4 exception words with unusual spelling-sound correspondences, applying growing knowledge of morphology and etymology to decode unfamiliar exception words
Suggested ages 7–9
Learning journey
Your child is learning to read more complex words by understanding how prefixes, suffixes, and root words work together, helping them tackle unfamiliar words with confidence.
Evidence of understanding
- Read exception words from the Y3-4 statutory word list accurately (e.g. 'business', 'caught', 'knowledge', 'different')
- Identify unusual letter-sound correspondences in exception words and explain why the word does not follow common GPC rules
- Use growing knowledge of morphology and etymology to attempt unfamiliar exception words (e.g. recognise the root 'know' in 'knowledge')
Assessment prompt
Can Decoding unfamiliar words read trickier exception words — like 'ordinary', 'promise', 'recent', or 'island' — without being thrown off by the parts that don't follow the usual spelling rules?
Standards alignment
RF.2.3.fUS · ccss-ela
RF.2.3.f
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 2
RF.3.3.dUS · ccss-ela
RF.3.3.d
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 3