3 Word Lists for November This month we looked at words ending in ‘ator’, tree words for National Tree Week, and fireworks words for Bonfire Night. Word for Wednesday: Fireworks We also chose fireworks for November’s Word for Wednesday theme. Follow the links to learn more about the words: sparkler, fountain, Catherine wheel, and rocket. Commonly Confused Words: Been vs. Gone In November, we returned to our Commonly Confused Words series with the words been and gone. One of these words is the past participle form for ‘be’ and the other is the past participle form for go ...
Our Word for Wednesday theme this month is fireworks. A firework is a device with an explosive that burns with coloured flames. The word dates to the 1570s fro Over November we’ve looked at the words sparkler, fountain, and Catherine wheel. Our final fireworks-themed word for the month is rocket. A rocket is a firework that propels high into the sky when lit and produces sparks and whistles. The word has been used since the 1610s and comes from the Italian ‘rocchetto’ which means 'bobbin' (in reference to how a rocket spins), from ‘rocca’ meaning ‘distaff’. The word took on its space-related meaning in ...
This month’s Word for Wednesday theme is fireworks. A firework is a device with an explosive that burns with coloured flames. The word dates to the 1570s from the Old English ‘fyr’ and ‘work’. So far we’ve looked at sparklers and fountains. Our third firework for November is the Catherine wheel. A Catherine wheel is a spinning firework that emits colourful sparks. It is usually affixed to something solid like a wall before being lit. The Catherine wheel is named after St Catherine of Alexandria who was sentenced to death on a spiked wheel which broke at her touch. She was instead executed by beheading. The wo...
November’s Word for Wednesday theme is fireworks. A firework is a device with an explosive that burns with coloured flames. The word dates to the 1570s from the Old English ‘fyr’ and ‘work’. Last week we looked at the word sparkler and today’s word is fountain. A fountain is a firework which is propped in the ground and, once lit, erupts a shower of sparks in the shape of a water fountain. Fountains often produce whistling sounds and bangs. The word fountain, in reference to a spring of water, dates to the early-fifteenth century and comes from Old French ‘fontaine’, from the Medieval Latin ‘fontana...
With Diwali and Bonfire Night falling back-to-back this week, we can expect plenty of glitter and sparkle lighting up our skies. To celebrate, we’ve chosen fireworks as our Word for Wednesday theme for November. A firework is a device with an explosive that burns with coloured flames. The word dates to the 1570s from the Old English ‘fyr’ and ‘work’. Our first fireworks-themed word of the month is sparkler. A sparkler is a handheld firework that burns slowly and produce sparks. The word sparkler has been used in reference to this type of firework since 1905, and more generally in reference to anything that sparkles since 1713. The word sparkle day...
Words ending in 'ator' In this month’s spelling pattern word list, we’re looking at words ending in 'ator'. After the letters 'at', many words use 'or' to spell the weak vowel ending. Learn about 'ator' word endings in Unit 25 and practise spelling them in this word list. Fireworks To celebrate Diwali and Bonfire Night, we’ve chosen fireworks as our Word for Wednesday theme for November. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at the words: sparkler, fountain, Catherine wheel, and rocket. Practise these words and more firework-themed spellings here. National Tre...
American vs. British English
Common Mistakes
Commonly Confused Words
English Idioms Explained
English Literature
Exams & Tests
Grammar & Punctuation
Mindful Spelling
Spelling at School
Spelling Games
Spelling Homework
Spelling Tips
Spellzone Tips & Tools
Supporting Adult Learners
Supporting Dyslexic Learners
Supporting EAL Learners
Word Origins & Stories
Writing & Vocabulary
"Thank goodness for Spellzone during this remote learning phase. The site is easy for students to navigate independently and they're really enjoying the activities and spelling games. You get an awful lot for your money with Spellzone. Really reassuring is the very prompt response with helpdesk queries. I've very rarely needed the helpdesk, but when I have, the issue has been addressed and sorted within a very short time."
Sarah Taggart, Oasis Academy Lord's HillConnect with us at: 
