Reading and Spelling Rules You May Have Forgotten

Reading and spelling rules can be easy to forget over time. Why do we read the word “ride” with a long vowel rather than a short vowel? When do we spell a word with “ck” versus “k”? And why in the world is the word “giant” pronounced with a “j” sound?

As students, we get plenty of reading and spelling rules thrown at us with the expectation that they’ll stick. While that’s true for some students and some rules, many students need additional practice to fully absorb and understand the concept. According to Reading Rockets, repeated, explicit practice with phonics patterns is one of the most effective ways to build lasting reading skills.

Let’s walk through three common reading and spelling rules you may have forgotten about.

Rule #1: Magic “e”

This rule is also known as the silent “e” or bossy “e” rule. When the letter “e” appears at the end of a word, it becomes silent and changes how the word is pronounced. This magic “e” jumps backward over one consonant and tells the vowel to say its name.

A great example is the word “cube.” Here, the magic “e” tells the “u” to say its name. Without the magic “e,” the word would be pronounced “cub” instead.

Rule #2: “k” or “ck” Endings

When one-syllable words like “tuck,” “trick,” and “black” contain a short vowel plus “k,” the spelling is typically “ck.”

On the other hand, when the “k” sound follows a consonant, long vowel sound, or diphthong, the spelling is typically just “k.” Examples include “ask,” “back,” and “week.”

Rule #3: Soft “g” and “c,” Hard “g” and “c”

For the letter “G,” a soft “g” makes the “j” sound, and a hard “g” makes the “g” sound. For the letter “C,” a soft “c” makes the “s” sound, and a hard “c” makes the “k” sound.

When the vowels e, i, or y follow the letters “c” and “g,” we typically use the soft sound. When other vowels follow, we use the hard “c” and “g” instead.

Examples of soft “c” and “g” include “giraffe,” “gym,” “cent,” and “circle.” Examples of hard “c” and “g” include “go,” “game,” “cup,” and “cow.”

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions about your child’s reading or spelling development, contact our team at ETLC. We’re happy to help.