This homophones KS2 make-a-match game is a fun way for pupils in Year 5 and Year 6 to further develop their understanding of homophones.
They will match the word cards to the relevant image and definition, helping them to expand their understanding of vocabulary.
You can play this game as a class or in small groups. It’s perfect for adult-led interventions to revisit key knowledge and skills.
Homophones KS2 resource contents
- 24 word cards
- 24 image cards
- 24 definition cards
How to play the games
Game 1: Pupils match the homophone, image and definition cards.
Game 2: Distribute the cards between pupils in the group and play snap. Pupils should shout ‘snap!’ if they turn the word and image card for the same homophone one after the other. You can play this using just the word and image cards, or the word and definition cards.
Game 3: Choose a card and orally rehearse sentences using the homophone displayed. This shows pupils’ understanding of its meaning.
Homophones KS2 explanation
Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings. Some words are pronounced and spelt the same way but have different meanings. We call these homonyms. For example:
- Bark (a tree’s outer layer)
- Bark (the sound a dog makes)
Some homophones are pronounced the same way but are spelt differently and have different meanings. For example:
- Bridal (related to weddings)
- Bridle (a horse’s headgear)
Homophones list
- there/their/they’re
- here/hear
- see/sea
- bare/bear
- one/won
- sun/son
- to/too/two
- be/bee
- blue/blew
- night/knight
- aisle/isle
- aloud/allowed
- altar/alter
- ascent/assent
- bridal/bridle
- cereal/serial
- practice/practise
- farther/father
- guessed/guest
- heard/herd
- morning/mourning
- past/passed
- descent/dissent
- draft/draught
- principal/principle
- profit/prophet
- stationary/stationery
- steal/steel
- who’s/whose
National Curriculum English programme of study links
Pupils should continue to distinguish between homophones and other words that are often confused.