Common Exception Words Set 5 Handwriting Workbook – Foundation
Free printable Foundation handwriting resource
Common exception words Set 5 combines the -old group with vocabulary such as every, great, beautiful and pretty. Children learn each word through a picture, meaning and sentence before tracing and independently writing 15 spellings.
Preview what is inside
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Use the arrows or dots to see the front cover, one glossary page and one handwriting sheet. The two inside-page previews are watermarked; download the PDF for clean printable pages.
If pupils need to revisit individual letter movements, begin with Alphabet Letter Formation Worksheets A-Z. Compare the spelling discussion with Phonics Tricky Words Poster, then extend recognition and handwriting through Fry Sight Words 1-10 Handwriting Workbook.
About this Common exception words Set 5
Old, cold, gold, hold and told provide a clear shared spelling pattern. Great, break and steak look related but support careful discussion of meaning, while pretty and beautiful offer two ways to describe appearance.
The printed groups let teachers move from a predictable family to longer, less regular forms without changing the handwriting routine.
What is included?
- 15 words: old, cold, gold, hold, told, every, everybody, even, great, break, steak, pretty, beautiful, after, fast.
- 3 picture-glossary pages with meanings and example sentences.
- 3 handwriting sheets using grey models, dotted letters and independent copying space.
- 10 PDF pages in total: front cover, instructions, glossary, handwriting sheets and two terms pages.
How to use this Common exception words Set 5
Begin by highlighting the common ending in the five -old words. Read and compare the glossary sentences, then model the first writing strip. On later pages, plan every, everybody and beautiful aloud before writing.
Ask pupils to circle their clearest attempt and compare it with the black model rather than rewarding speed.
Meanings in the Common exception words Set 5 glossary
old
Meaning: Having existed for a long time.
Example: The old man has a walking stick.
cold
Meaning: Having a low temperature.
Example: The cold child is shivering.
gold
Meaning: A valuable yellow metal or its colour.
Example: The square is gold.
hold
Meaning: To keep something in your hands.
Example: The child can hold the ball.
told
Meaning: Gave information by speaking.
Example: Dad told us a story.
every
Meaning: Each one in a group.
Example: I read every day.
everybody
Meaning: Every person.
Example: Everybody joined the game.
even
Meaning: Flat and level, or divisible by two.
Example: Make the edges even.
great
Meaning: Very good, large or important.
Example: We had a great day.
break
Meaning: To damage something or pause an activity.
Example: Take a short break.
steak
Meaning: A thick slice of meat or other food.
Example: The steak is delicious.
pretty
Meaning: Attractive or pleasing to look at.
Example: The dress is pretty.
beautiful
Meaning: Very attractive or lovely.
Example: The flowers are beautiful.
after
Meaning: Later than something else.
Example: We play after lunch.
fast
Meaning: Moving or happening quickly.
Example: The train is fast.
Teaching and follow-up ideas
- Build and read the -old family with movable letter cards.
- Compare every with everybody and discuss what body adds.
- Use great, pretty and beautiful in different oral descriptions.
- Count and compare the letters in break and steak.
Support and challenge
Start with the patterned -old page to build confidence. Provide finger tracing and shorter sessions for beautiful and everybody.
For challenge, compose a description containing two target adjectives and check each against the glossary.
Where this fits in learning
Set 5 follows the spelling comparisons in Set 4 and adds longer descriptive vocabulary. Set 6 shifts to -ast words, family vocabulary and spellings such as hour and sugar.
Teach the reliable -old pattern explicitly, then contrast it with words whose pronunciation is less transparent. This balanced approach follows the Department for Education reading framework.
Resource licence
Free for personal, homeschool or single-classroom use under the terms included in the PDF. Resale, redistribution and uploading the file to another website are not permitted.
Questions about this workbook
Which words are in common exception words Set 5?
old, cold, gold, hold, told, every, everybody, even, great, break, steak, pretty, beautiful, after, fast.
What is included in the PDF?
The PDF has 10 pages: a cover, instructions, 3 picture-glossary pages, 3 handwriting practice pages and two terms pages.
How does the handwriting activity work?
Pupils trace grey models, follow dotted letters and then copy each word independently on Foundation writing guides.
Should pupils memorise each word as a whole shape?
No. Use known phonics wherever it applies and explicitly explain the less predictable part of each spelling.
Can I print one practice page at a time?
Yes. Each handwriting page can be printed and taught separately to match current learning and writing stamina.
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