Spelling pattern recognition
Recognise and apply orthographic patterns and spelling rules to choose the correct spelling.
Spelling-pattern recognition is choosing the conventional spelling because you know the rule: -ck after a short vowel, floss doubling (ff, ll, ss), -tch and -dge, the doubling and drop-e rules for suffixes, and the Latin and Greek endings later on. It runs from Grade 1 to Grade 6, each year adding patterns. It is different from dictation: here the child sees options and must pick, so it tests knowledge of the pattern rather than recall. Errors show which rule is missing — cac for cake means silent e is not yet secure, hoping for hopping means the doubling rule is not. These worksheets present pattern sorts and pick-the-spelling items; the Pick Correct Spelling and Fill in the Blank games cover the same bands with immediate feedback.
Pick a grade
Games that practise it
Pick Correct SpellingFill in the Blank
Teacher FAQ
What is the floss rule?
After a short vowel in a one-syllable word, f, l and s double: puff, hill, dress. It is taught in Grade 1.
When do you use -ck instead of -k?
Right after a short vowel: back, pick. After a long vowel or a consonant use -k: bake, milk.
What is the doubling rule?
Before adding a vowel suffix, double the final consonant of a one-syllable word with one short vowel and one final consonant: hop → hopping, but hope → hoping.