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Common exception words

Words that do not follow the usual phonics rules or that pupils meet before learning the relevant rules, listed in the English national curriculum; sometimes called tricky words.

Used in
England
Topic
Teaching and learning

Being checked against official sources. This definition is written in our own words; always check the official guidance for your country.

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High-frequency words All four UK nations (details may differ) United States
Words that appear very often in texts, such as the, and and was.
Sight words United States
Words children are taught to recognise instantly; in science of reading terms, words stored for automatic recognition.

More terms: Teaching and learning

Adaptive teaching · Continuous provision · Systematic synthetic phonics · Teaching for mastery

More terms starting with C · Education glossary A–Z · Get a TIP for your class

Definitions are written by Classfern in our own words for teachers in the UK and the US. They are short explanations, not legal or official definitions: always check the official guidance for your country, nation or state. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government department, inspectorate or exam board named here.