A Complete Guide to Year 3 Spelling: Worksheets & More

24 January, 2025

Spelling in Year 3 builds on foundational skills and introduces more advanced spelling concepts that challenge students to refine their understanding of language. This year, students will explore a variety of spelling features, such as adding ‘es’ to plurals, forming comparatives and superlatives, and mastering r-controlled vowels. They’ll also dive into tricky homophones, silent letters (like gn, kn and wr), diphthongs, and contractions. Year 3 spelling worksheets are an excellent resource to help students practise these concepts, offering structured exercises that promote both accuracy and confidence in their spelling. In this article, we’ll explore the key spelling topics Year 3 students will encounter and share fun, interactive activities to make spelling practice both effective and enjoyable.

Spelling Activities

Spelling Hopscotch: Create a hopscotch grid on the playground or indoors using masking tape. Write a letter or a part of a spelling word in each square. Students hop along the grid, saying each letter out loud as they land on it, spelling out their words as they go. A great way to combine physical movement with spelling practise!

Chalk Writing: Find an outdoor space and let the students write their spelling words with chalk on the pavement.

Word Search: Give your kids a blank grid, either 8×8 or 12×12. Have them ‘hide’ each of their spelling words by placing one letter in each box. Once they’ve hidden all their words, they can fill in the rest of the grid with random letters. Students then swap with a partner and search for the words their partner hid.

Artistic Word Creations: Encourage kids to transform their spelling words into pieces of art by writing each word and embellishing it with patterns, illustrations, and colours. This activity provides an excellent opportunity for spelling practice while allowing creativity to shine. Just be mindful of the time spent on each word to ensure they get through all their spelling words and maximise their practice!

Year 3 Spelling Worksheets and Word Lists

1. CVC Words

While many Year 3 students have moved past simple CVC words, there are still some who will benefit from continued practice with them. Revisiting these foundational words can help reinforce essential skills, especially short vowel sounds, which can still challenge some learners. Even for students who have mastered them, revisiting CVC words provides a valuable opportunity to reinforce and solidify these key sounds. Explore our collection of free CVC worksheets to support all learners in strengthening their spelling foundations

2. Plurals- Adding ‘es’

One of the key spelling concepts in Year 3 is adding “es” to form plurals. Students learn to apply this rule when words end in s, x, z, ch, or sh, such as “foxes,” “buses,” and “wishes.” Understanding when and how to add “es” helps students form plural words correctly, expanding their vocabulary and reinforcing the rules of word formation.

3. Comparatives & Superlatives

In Year 3, students explore comparatives and superlatives, which help them compare things. Comparatives are formed by adding “-er” to adjectives (e.g., “smaller,” “faster”), while superlatives use “-est” (e.g., “smallest,” “fastest”). These forms allow students to describe differences between two or more things, building their ability to use adjectives more effectively in both writing and speaking. Understanding when to use comparatives and superlatives strengthens their descriptive language skills.

4. R-Controlled Vowels

R-controlled vowel patterns are an important concept in Year 3 spelling, where vowels are followed by the letter “r” and the combination creates a distinct sound. Examples include “or” in “fork,” “oar” in “boat,” “our” in “four,” and “ur” in “burn.” These patterns can be tricky, but recognising and practising them helps students become more confident in spelling and pronouncing words with these sounds. Mastering r-controlled vowels contributes to overall fluency in reading and writing.

5. Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings, which can be tricky for Year 3 students. Examples include “weather” and “whether,” “mail” and “male,” and “break” and “brake.” Understanding the correct context for each homophone is essential for improving both spelling and comprehension. By practising homophones, students sharpen their ability to choose the right word for the situation, which enhances their writing and communication skills.

6. Silent Letters- gn, kn, wr

Silent letters are a key challenge for Year 3 students, as certain letters in words are not pronounced but still affect the spelling. Common examples include “gn” as in “gnome,” “kn” as in “knight,” and “wr” as in “wrist.” Recognising these silent letters helps students spell tricky words correctly and improves their reading fluency. By learning which letters are silent in specific words, students can avoid common spelling mistakes and develop a deeper understanding of English spelling rules.

7. Diphthongs- ou, ow, au, aw

Diphthongs are vowel combinations that create unique sounds, and they play an important role in Year 3 spelling. Common diphthongs include “ou” as in “cloud,” “ow” as in “snow,” “au” as in “author,” and “aw” as in “saw.” These combinations can be tricky, but recognising them helps students spell words correctly and improves their ability to read fluently. By practising diphthongs, students gain a better understanding of how vowel sounds work together in different words.

8. Contractions

Our Year 3 spelling worksheets provide structured and engaging ways to practise concepts, ensuring students build confidence and proficiency. These resources are designed to build confidence and proficiency, helping young learners master key spelling concepts they’ll need to be able to tackle more complex language tasks in the future.