Homophones are words that are pronounced the same, but spelled differently. They also have different meanings, which does not allow them to be interchanged. They are easily confused. Common examples are their/there/they're, your/you're, and to/two/too. They are often confused with homonyms, which are words identically spelled but with different meanings.
Cut and paste activities are easily downloaded from the Internet or photocopied from a teacher resource book. They can also easily be created by the instructor. Find pictures of different word pairs, such as sole/soul, blue/blew, nose/knows and heard/herd. Put these pairs next to each other on a worksheet. Create a word bank at the bottom, drawing lines around each word as a cutting guide.
Give children a lesson on homophones prior to giving them a cut and paste activity. Define the words and provide plenty of examples, including those they will have on their worksheets. Distinguish between these and homonyms. Post examples on the bulletin board. Practice labeling pictures in class. Encourage students to research some of their own in a student dictionary. Use the cut and paste activity for individual quiet work or as homework.
Discuss the correct answers as a group. Work individually with a child who may require more practice. Write sentences using both homophones in each pair to practice their meanings. Take those worksheets and cut apart all of the pictures and words into cards. Laminate those cards for a manipulative labeling activity that can be repeatedly used. Give children sets of matching cards to use as a concentration game. Give each child one card and have them find their partners who hold the matching homophone card.