Spell Check: Sentences for dictation

These lists can be used as either:
•	a placement exercise to determine where to commence the teaching programme
•	an assessment exercise to determine retention and revision of the programme taught to date.

It is recommended that the assessments are kept short and frequent. These assume 15 words representing the teaching points and conventions of approximately 5 weeks teaching.
Read each sentence aloud stressing the word to be spelt in context. Then repeat the word on its own.

Stage 3	Word List 3:1	
1. I like playing tennis.	playing	
2. Our television is broken and needs fixing.	fixing	
3. I am hoping to win the next race.	hoping	
Stage 3	Word List 3:2	
4. The shelf needs dusting.	dusting	
5. We used the stepping stones to cross the river.	stepping	
6. I am feeling very tired today.	feeling	
Stage 3	Word List 3:3	
7. Mum washed the car.	washed	
8. The frog hopped into the pond.	hopped	
9. ‘Would you like a boiled egg?’ Dad asked.	boiled	
Stage 3	Word List 3:4	
10. I need my jumper today because it is cold.	jumper	
11. My rubber is not in my pencil case.	rubber	
12. The waiter took our order at the restaurant.	waiter	
Stage 3	Word List 3:5	
13. ‘In which direction is the wind blowing?’ she asked.	direction	
14. I go to school because education is important.	education	
15. Daniel got a promotion at work.	promotion	

Stage 3	Word List 3:6	
1. I signed a petition.	petition	
2. I ate a small fraction of the cake.	fraction	
3. ‘Please pay attention’, said the teacher.	attention	
Stage 3	Word List 3:7	
4. He banged the drum loudly.	loudly	
5. ‘Please may I have a go?’ I asked politely.	politely	
6. I am usually very tired after dance class.	usually	
Stage 3	Word List 3:8	
7. I stroked the rabbit gently.	gently	
8. They all lived happily ever after.	happily	
9. I worked out the answer logically.	logically	
Stage 3	Word List 3:9	
10. I am not going to school today because I am unwell.	unwell	
11. I distrust my sister because she lies.	distrust	
12. I often misplace my keys.	misplace	
Stage 3	Word List 3:10	
13. He wore informal clothes to the party.	informal	
14. It is illegal to steal.	illegal	
15. That information is irrelevant to the question.	irrelevant	

Spell Check: Sentences for dictation

These lists can be used as either:
•	a placement exercise to determine where to commence the teaching programme
•	an assessment exercise to determine retention and revision of the programme taught to date.

It is recommended that the assessments are kept short and frequent. These assume 15 words representing the teaching points and conventions of approximately 5 weeks teaching.
Read eat sentence aloud stressing the word to be spelt in context. Then repeat the word on its own.

Stage 3	Word List 3:11	
1. I go to the gym to get fit.	gym	
2. The symbol for ‘stop’ is a red octagon.	symbol	
3. ‘Will you sing me a nursery rhyme?’ asked the child.	rhyme	
Stage 3	Word List 3:12	
4. I could not reach the jar of sweets.	could	
5. There’s not a cloud in the sky.	cloud	
6. I go to a youth club every Friday.	youth	
Stage 3	Word List 3:13	
7. The king’s reign was long.	reign	
8. Santa’s sleigh is pulled by reindeer.	sleigh	
9. An owl’s prey includes mice and insects.	prey	
Stage 3	Word List 3:14	
10. The pirate found a treasure chest.	treasure	
11. I took a picture with my new camera.	picture	
12. The injured footballer was carried on a stretcher.	stretcher	
Stage 3	Word List 3:15	
13. I know the alphabet backwards.	know	
14. I threw the ball to Kirsty.	threw	
15. I am growing quickly. Soon I will be very tall.	growing	

Stage 3	Word List 3:16	
1. I like to sing along to the radio.	sing	
2. I swam in the sea.	swam	
3. The phone was ringing so I answered it.	ringing	
Stage 3	Word List 3:17	
4. ‘Where are you?’ she called.	where	
5. ‘Can you hear that music?’ asked Natalie.	hear	
6. I like to wear my purple trousers.	wear	
Stage 3	Word List 3:18	
7. The car sped up when we reached the main road.	main	
8. The horse’s mane was plaited.	mane	
9. I put the waste food in the bin.	waste	
Stage 3	Word List 3:19	
10. I can’t peel oranges very well.	peel	
11. It is against the law to steal.	steal	
12. My team won the tournament.	team	
Stage 3	Word List 3:20	
13. She got lost in the mist.	mist	
14. I guessed the answer correctly.	guessed	
15. The ship’s mast broke in the storm.	mast