Spelling Generalizations for K-5  

 

Syllable Patterns and Divisions

 

Syllable Patterns:

1.       closed: has 1 vowel  and it usually has its short sound

a.       at, cat, it, fit,  ship

2.      vowel-consonant-e: first  vowel usually has its long sound

a.       ate, spoke,  trade

3.      vowel team: two vowels together that usually make just one vowel  sound

a.       ee,ea, oi,  ou, ow, oa, au, aw, oy, ew…

4.      consonant-le: always ends a word.  The final e is silent.  We hear only the two consonants. 

a.       ble, cle, dle, ckle, fle, gle,  ple, tle: bubble, handle, uncle,

5.      r-controlled: all the vowels with r

a.       ar, er, ir, ur, or: her, fur, torn, car, first

6.      open: has 1 vowel and it usually has its long sound

a.       me, hi, go, spo/ken, fu/ture

 

 

Syllable Division:

Please note:  These rules are simplified and only the very basic ones are given.  V stands for vowel and C stands for consonant.  Digraphs (two consonants representing one speech sound-sh, ch…) are considered as single consonants in syllable division.

 

  1. VCCV:  Divide between the two consonants.
    1. rab/bit, ob/long, sep/tem/ber
  2. VCV:  Words having this pattern may be divided two ways:
    1. V/CV: consonant goes with the second syllable

                                                               i.      Pi/lot, mu/sic, ba/con, va/ca/tion

    1. VC/V: consonant goes with the first syllable

                                                               i.      Cab/in, lev/el, rob/in

  1. VC/CCV or VCC/CV: Syllable division occurs between the consonant and the consonant blend or digraph, keeping the blend or digraph together.
    1. Mon/ster, pil/grim, pump/kin, dish/rag

 

Note: There is a group of words in which the syllable division occurs between two vowels that are ordinarily taught as belonging together, representing one sound unit, such as ea, ie, oe, etc.  When syllable division occurs this way, each vowel is sounded separately, the first vowel having its long sound.

Examples include: flu/id, qui/et, po/em

 

 

Spelling Generalizations for First Grade:

 

 

  1. “H-Brother Diagraphs:” When h follows c, s, t, w, or p the combination stands for a new sound:  th, ch, sh, ph, wh
  2. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings: to, too, two; for, four
  3. Short vowel sounds are usually spelled with one vowel.
  4. Most nouns are changed to the plural form by adding –s.
  5. Nouns ending in s, x, z, ch, and sh add es for the plural.  Children need not memorize this rule, for when the –es is added here is a recognizable sound difference from just –s.
  6. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ing.
  7. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ed.
  8. Contractions: putting two or more words together and replacing a letter or letters with an apostrophe can make new words.
  9. Long vowel sounds are usually spelled with two vowels.
  10. A capital I is a letter and a word.
  11. “Magic e rule:” When a word follows the ending pattern-vowel consonant e (vce) the e often causes the vowel to say its name and the e is silent.
  12. At the end of a one-syllable word the long i sound is spelled with a y.
  13. At the end of a two or more syllable word the long e sound is spelled with a y.
  14. Long e sound can be made with ee or ea.  Usually this pattern is found in the middle of a word.
  15. Ending blends: ng and nk (children often find the vowel sounds in these sound patterns difficult to discriminate)
  16. Multiple spellings of same sound: er, ir, and ur all say /ir/ as in bird.
  17. Suffixes -er and –est are used for comparisons: bigger/biggest.
  18. Long a sound: use ai in the middle of a word followed by an l or n and ay at the end of a word.
  19. Long o sound: use oa (usually in the middle of a word) and ow (usually at the end of a word)
  20. Long i sound: ie  (a few three letter words) and igh (often in the final position or followed by the letter t)
  21. Suffixes –ly (meaning in the manner of) and –ful (full of).
  22. Multiple spellings of same sound: ou (usually at the beginning or middle of a word: out, couch) and ow (at the end of a word often followed by an n,l,or d: frown, growl, crowd)
  23. Two sounds of oo: as in “good food”.
  24. Multiple spellings of same sound: oi (beginning or middle of a word: oil, point) and oy (end of a word: boy)
  25. Prefixes: un (not) and re (again/go back)

 

 

Spelling Generalizations for Second Grade:

 

 

  1.  “H-Brother Diagraphs:” When h follows c, s, t, w, or p the combination stands for a new sound:  th, ch, sh, ph, wh
  2. Contractions: putting two or more words together and replacing a letter or letters with an apostrophe can make new words.
  3. Short vowel sounds are usually spelled with one vowel.
  4. Long vowel sounds are usually spelled with two vowels.
  5. Multiple spellings of same sound: ou (usually at the beginning or middle of a word: out, couch) and ow (at the end of a word often followed by an n,l,or d: frown, growl, crowd)
  6. Multiple spellings of same sound: long o sound: o (end of an accented syllable), ow (used in final position or when followed by –n), old, ost,

o-consonant-e (middle of a syllable-first choice for the final syllable of a polysyllabic word), oa (beginning or middle of a polysyllabic word),

  1. –r controlled vowels:  when a vowel is followed by the letter r it has a new sound: or, ar, er, ir, ur
  2. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings: to, too, two; for, four; there, their, they’re; no, know; by, buy; one, won; through,  threw; would, wood; write, right;
  3. Most nouns are changed to the plural form by adding –s.
  4. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ing.
  5. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ed.
  6. For words ending in silent e, just add s for plurals, but drop the final e before adding –ed or –ing.
  7. For words ending in consonant-y, change the y to i before adding a suffix.
  8. Multiple spellings of same sound: long a sound: a (end of an accented syllable), ai (middle of a syllable), ay (end of a word), a-consonant-e (middle of a syllable-first choice for the final syllable of a polysyllabic word).
  9. Multiple spellings of same sound: long i sound: i (end of an accented syllable), i-consonant-e (middle of a syllable-first choice for the final syllable in a polysyllabic word), igh (end of a word or when followed by a -t), ind, ild, y (end of a syllable)
  10. At the end of a one-syllable word the long i sound is spelled with a y.
  11. At the end of a two or more syllable word the long e sound is spelled with a y.
  12. Suffixes -er and –est are used for comparisons: bigger/biggest.
  13. The /k/ sound at the end of a one syllable word after a short vowel is spelled –ck.
  14. The /ch/ sound at the end of a one syllable word after a short vowel is spelled –tch.
  15. Nouns ending in s, x, z, ch, and sh add es for the plural.  Children need not memorize this rule, for when the –es is added here is a recognizable sound difference from just –s.
  16. Soft c:  the letter c has two sounds.  Its soft sound (s) occurs only when c is followed by e, i, or y.
  17. Soft g:  the letter g has two sounds.  Its soft sound (j) occurs only when g is followed by e, i, or y.
  18. Suffixes –ly (meaning in the manner of), –ful (full of), -less (without), -ness (state of being), -er (either a person who does or comparison),
  19. Long e sound can be made with ee or ea.  Usually this pattern is found in the middle of a word.
  20. “Magic e rule:” When a word follows the ending pattern-vowel consonant e (vce) the e often causes the vowel to say its name and the e is silent.
  21. A compound word is made up of two other words: some + one = someone.
  22. The consonant-le ending is a syllable that always ends a word.  The final e is silent.  We hear only the two consonants. 
  23. The vowel sound in book can be spelled oo and u:  cook, put
  24. The vowel sound in moon can be spelled: oo, ue, ew, ui: too, blue, new, fruit.
  25. Multiple spellings of same sound: oi (beginning or middle of a word: oil, point) and oy (end of a word: boy)
  26. Prefixes: un (not), re (again/go back), dis (away from, opposite of, not), pre (before), mis (wrong or bad), mid (middle) 
  27. Sometimes two letters together stand for only one sound: kn and wr at the beginning of words (knee, write), gn at the beginning or end of words (gnat, sign), mb at the end of words (comb).
  28. The consonant sound/f/ can be spelled ph, gh, and ff (phone, enough, stuff)
  29. At the end of a one syllable word immediately after a short vowel the f, s, z, l are doubled: stiff, miss, buzz, will
  30.  Multiple spellings of same sound:  aw as in draw: aw, au, augh: saw, launch, caught.

 

 

Spelling Generalizations for Third Grade:

 

 

  1. Multiple spellings of same sound: long i sound: i (end of an accented syllable), i-consonant-e (middle of a syllable-first choice for the final syllable in a polysyllabic word), igh (end of a word or when followed by a -t), ind, ild, y (end of a syllable)
  2. Short vowel sounds are usually spelled with one vowel.
  3. Long vowel sounds are usually spelled with two vowels.
  4. Multiple spellings of same sound: ou (usually at the beginning or middle of a word: out, couch) and ow (at the end of a word often followed by an n,l,or d: frown, growl, crowd)
  1. Multiple spellings of same sound: long o sound: o (end of an accented syllable), ow (used in final position or when followed by –n), old, ost,

o-consonant-e (middle of a syllable-first choice for the final syllable of a polysyllabic word), oa (beginning or middle of a polysyllabic word),,

  1. “H-Brother Diagraphs:” When h follows c, s, t, w, or p the combination stands for a new sound:  th, ch, sh, ph, wh
  2. Multiple spellings of same sound: long a sound: a, ai, ay, a-consonant-e.
  3. Multiple spellings for /j/: j, ge, gi, gy
    1. Soft g:  the letter g has two sounds.  Its soft sound (j) occurs only when g is followed by e, i, or y.
  4. Multiple spellings for /aw/ as in awful: au is used at the beginning or in the middle of a word unless the /aw/ sound is followed by a single n or l; then use aw (saucer, brawl, lawn).  Use aw at the end of a word (saw, law)
  5. Contractions: putting two or more words together and replacing a letter or letters with an apostrophe can make new words.
  6. –r controlled vowels:  when a vowel is followed by the letter r it has a new sound: or, ar, er, ir, ur
  7.  Multiple spellings for /k/: c, k, ck, que, ch (detailed explanation below)
    1. c is used for the /k/ sound most often.   Usually used before the letters a, o, u: cut, cat, cot.  Also, words of two or more syllables that end with the /ik/ sound are usually spelled ic: music, magic, public
    2. k is used for the /k/ sound after a consonant, after a long vowel sound, and after two vowels: look, cake, silk
    3. ck is used for the /k/ sound at the end of a word or syllable directly after a single short vowel: back, bucket
    4. que has the /k/ sound in words of French derivation: antique, unique, critique
    5. ch has the /k/ sound in words of Greek derivation: ache, anchor, character.
  8. Long e sound can be made with ee, ea, (usually this pattern is found in the middle of a word), e(at  the end of a word or syllable: me, below), y(at the end of a two or more syllable word). 
  9. Multiple spellings of same sound: oi (beginning or middle of a word: oil, point) and oy (end of a word: boy)
  10. A compound word is made up of two other words: some + one = someone.
  11. Multiple spellings of /s/:
    1. Use single s on the end of a word to indicate a plural noun or singular verb: cats, cups, runs, skips
    2. Use double s after a short vowel on the end of a one-syllable word: miss
    3. Use –se as one of the two choices for the /s/ spelling after everything but a short vowel, for example after a long vowel, vowel combination, or consonant. (The other choice is ce).
    4. ce, ci, cy:  the letter c has two sounds.  Its soft sound (s) occurs only when c is followed by e, i, or y.
  12. Nouns ending in s, x, z, ch, and sh add es for the plural.  Children need not memorize this rule, for when the –es is added here is a recognizable sound difference from just –s.
  13. Homographs are words that have the same spelling, have different meanings, and may have different pronunciations. 
    1. I live here/ I saw a live bear.
    2. I like to read/Have you read this book?
    3. Sit close to the table/ Please close the door.
  14. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings: there/they’re/their.
  15. Prefixes: un (not), re (again/go back), dis (away from, opposite of, not), pre (before), mid  (middle), over (too much, extra, above, superior), out (away, outside, better, more than)
  16. Sometimes two letters together stand for only one sound: kn and wr at the beginning of words (knee, write), gn at the beginning or end of words (gnat, sign), mb at the end of words (comb).
  17. A possessive is a word that shows ownership.  Some possessives need an apostrophe.
  18. Suffixes –ly (meaning in the manner of), –ful (full of), -less (without), -ness (state of being), -er (either a person who does or comparison), -est (comparison),  -ess (a person who), -ist(a person who),  -ish (like), -hood (state or condition of), -ment (the result of an action)
  19.  Multiple spellings for long u: u (end of an accented syllable), oo (usually the middle of a syllable), ew (end of a word), ue (end of a word), u-consonant-e (middle of a syllable-first choice for the final syllable of a polysyllabic word), eu (beginning or middle of a syllable)
  20. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ing.
  21. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ed.
  22. For words ending in silent e, just add s for plurals, but drop the final e before adding –ed or –ing.
  23. For words ending in consonant-y, change the y to i before adding a suffix.
  24. The consonant-le ending is a syllable that always ends a word.  The final e is silent.  We hear only the two consonants. 
  25. Words with syllable pattern:  -tion/-sion (while these two endings are often confused,  -tion is the more commonly used form.  If the original word ends in ss, then sion is used) –ture  (says “chur”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spelling Generalizations for Fourth Grade:

 

 

  1. Short vowel sounds are usually spelled with one vowel.
  2. Long vowel sounds are usually spelled with two vowels.
  3. Multiple spellings of same sound: long o sound: o, ow, old, ost,

o-consonant-e, oa,

  1. Multiple spellings for /aw/ as in awful: au is used at the beginning or in the middle of a word unless the /aw/ sound is followed by a single n or l; then use aw (saucer, brawl, lawn).  Use aw at the end of a word (saw, law)
  2. Multiple spellings of same sound: long i sound: i, i-consonant-e, igh, ind, ild, y
  3. Multiple spellings of same sound: ou (usually at the beginning or middle of a word: out, couch) and ow (at the end of a word often followed by an n,l,or d: frown, growl, crowd)
  4. Multiple spellings for /k/: c, k, ck, que, ch (detailed explanation below)
    1. c is used for the /k/ sound most often.   Usually used before the letters a, o, u: cut, cat, cot.  Also, words of two or more syllables that end with the /ik/ sound are usually spelled ic: music, magic, public
    2. k is used for the /k/ sound after a consonant, after a long vowel sound, and after two vowels: look, cake, silk
    3. ck is used for the /k/ sound at the end of a word or syllable directly after a single short vowel: back, bucket
    4. que has the /k/ sound in words of French derivation: antique, unique, critique
    5. ch has the /k/ sound in words of Greek derivation: ache, anchor, character.
  5. Long e sound can be made with ee, ea, (usually this pattern is found in the middle of a word), e(at  the end of a word or syllable: me, below), y(at the end of a two or more syllable word). 
  6. “H-Brother Diagraphs:” When h follows c, s, t, w, or p the combination stands for a new sound:  th, ch, sh, ph, wh
  7. Multiple spellings of /s/:
    1. Use single s on the end of a word to indicate a plural noun or singular verb: cats, cups, runs, skips
    2. Use double s after a short vowel on the end of a one-syllable word: miss
    3. Use –se as one of the two choices for the /s/ spelling after everything but a short vowel, for example after a long vowel, vowel combination, or consonant. (The other choice is ce).
    4. ce, ci, cy:  the letter c has two sounds.  Its soft sound (s) occurs only when c is followed by e, i, or y.
  8. Multiple spellings for /j/: j, dge, ge, gi, gy
    1. Soft g:  the letter g has two sounds.  Its soft sound (j) occurs only when g is followed by e, i, or y.
    2. The /j/ sound at the end of a one syllable word after a short vowel is spelled –dge.
  9. Multiple spellings of same sound: ou (usually at the beginning or middle of a word: out, couch) and ow (at the end of a word often followed by an n,l,or d: frown, growl, crowd)
  10. A compound word is the combination of two or more words.
  11. Multiple spellings of same sound: long a sound: a, ai, ay, a-consonant-e.
  12. Suffixes –ly (meaning in the manner of), –ful (full of), -less (without), -ness (state of being), -er (either a person who does or comparison), -or (a person or thing), -ar (pertaining to), -est (comparison),  -ess (a person who), -ist(a person who),  -ish (like), -hood (state or condition of), -ment (the result of an action), -able (able to),             -ion (act of, result of)
  13. For words ending in a single vowel and consonant, double the final consonant before adding the vowel suffix (est, er, ist, ish…).  Do not double the consonant if the suffix begins with a consonant (ful, less, hood…)
  14. For words ending in consonant-y, change the y to i before adding a suffix (except –ing).  For words ending in vowel-y, keep the y and add the suffix: happy-happiness, toy-toys
  15. Prefixes: un (not), re (again/go back), dis (away from, opposite of, not), pre (before), mid  (middle), over (too much, extra, above, superior), out (away, outside, better, more than), im (not), sub (under), mis (wrong or bad), non (not), in (not or in/within/towards),
  16. Contractions: putting two or more words together and replacing a letter or letters with an apostrophe can make new words.
  17. A possessive is a word that shows ownership.  Some possessives need an apostrophe.
  18. –r controlled vowels:  when a vowel is followed by the letter r it has a new sound: or, ar, er, ir, ur
  19. Multiple spellings of same sound: oi (beginning or middle of a word: oil, point) and oy (end of a word: boy)
  20. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings: there/they’re/their.
  21. Homographs are words that have the same spelling, have different meanings, and may have different pronunciations. 
    1. I live here/ I saw a live bear.
    2. I like to read/Have you read this book?
    3. Sit close to the table/ Please close the door.
  22. Multiple spellings for long u: u (end of an accented syllable), oo (usually the middle of a syllable), ew (end of a word), ue (end of a word), u-consonant-e (middle of a syllable-first choice for the final syllable of a polysyllabic word), eu (beginning or middle of a syllable)
  23. Knowledge of Latin and Greek roots unlocks the meaning of many words:
    1. Latin Roots

                                                              i.      port: to carry

                                                           ii.      cent: one hundred

                                                         iii.      voc: to call

                                                          iv.      pod/ped: foot

                                                            v.      struct: build

                                                          vi.      rupt: break

                                                       vii.      dic: speak

                                                     viii.      loc: place

    1. Greek Roots

                                                              i.      phon: sound

                                                           ii.      graph: write

                                                         iii.      meter: measure

                                                          iv.      scop: see

                                                            v.      micro: small

  1. Nouns ending in s, x, z, ch, and sh add es for the plural.  Children need not memorize this rule, for when the –es is added here is a recognizable sound difference from just –s.
  2. Sometimes two letters together stand for only one sound: kn and wr at the beginning of words (knee, write), gn at the beginning or end of words (gnat, sign), mb at the end of words (comb).
  3. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ing.
  4. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ed.
  5. For words ending in silent e, just add s for plurals, but drop the final e before adding –ed or –ing.
  6. Some nouns ending in –f or –fe form the plural by changing the –f or   –fe to –ves. 
  7. Some nouns ending in –o form the plural by just adding –s.  There is no regularity in this and it often requires memorization.  Some examples: radios, videos, patios, and banjos.  Some exceptions: potatoes, tomatoes, and tornadoes. 
  8. The consonant-le ending is a syllable that always ends a word.  The final e is silent.  We hear only the two consonants. 
  9. Words with syllable pattern:  -tion/-sion (while these two endings are often confused,  -tion is the more commonly used form.  If the original word ends in ss, then sion is used) –ture  (says “chur”)
  10. Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.
  11. Synonyms are words that have similar meanings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spelling Generalizations for Fifth Grade:

 

 

  1. Short vowel sounds are usually spelled with one vowel.
  2. Long vowel sounds are usually spelled with two vowels.
  3. Multiple spellings for /k/: c, k, ck, que, ch (detailed explanation below)
    1. c is used for the /k/ sound most often.   Usually used before the letters a, o, u: cut, cat, cot.  Also, words of two or more syllables that end with the /ik/ sound are usually spelled ic: music, magic, public
    2. k is used for the /k/ sound after a consonant, after a long vowel sound, and after two vowels: look, cake, silk
    3. ck is used for the /k/ sound at the end of a word or syllable directly after a single short vowel: back, bucket
    4. que has the /k/ sound in words of French derivation: antique, unique, critique
    5. ch has the /k/ sound in words of Greek derivation: ache, anchor, character.
  4. Multiple spellings for /j/: j, dge, ge, gi, gy
    1. Soft g:  the letter g has two sounds.  Its soft sound (j) occurs only when g is followed by e, i, or y.
    2. The /j/ sound at the end of a one syllable word after a short vowel is spelled –dge.
  5.  Multiple spellings of /s/:
    1. Use single s on the end of a word to indicate a plural noun or singular verb: cats, cups, runs, skips
    2. Use double s after a short vowel on the end of a one-syllable word: miss
    3. Use –se as one of the two choices for the /s/ spelling after everything but a short vowel, for example after a long vowel, vowel combination, or consonant. (The other choice is ce).
    4. ce, ci, cy:  the letter c has two sounds.  Its soft sound (s) occurs only when c is followed by e, i, or y.
  6. Multiple spellings for /aw/ as in awful: au is used at the beginning or in the middle of a word unless the /aw/ sound is followed by a single n or l; then use aw (saucer, brawl, lawn).  Use aw at the end of a word (saw, law)
  7. Multiple spellings of same sound: ou (usually at the beginning or middle of a word: out, couch) and ow (at the end of a word often followed by an n,l,or d: frown, growl, crowd)
  8. Suffixes –ly (meaning in the manner of), –ful (full of), -less (without), -ness (state of being), -er (either a person who does or comparison), -or (a person or thing), -ar (pertaining to), -est (comparison),  -ess (a person who), -ist(a person who),  -ish (like), -hood (state or condition of), -ment (the result of an action), -able/-ible (able to),             -ion (act of, result of), -en (made of/to make), -ous (having, full of)   –sion (state of, result of), -ation (state of, result of)
  9. For words ending in a single vowel and consonant, double the final consonant before adding the vowel suffix (est, er, ist, ish…).  Do not double the consonant if the suffix begins with a consonant (ful, less, hood…)
  10. For words ending in consonant-y, change the y to i before adding a suffix (except –ing).  For words ending in vowel-y, keep the y and add the suffix: happy-happiness, toy-toys
  11. Prefixes: un (not), re (again/go back), dis (away from, opposite of, not), pre (before), mid  (middle), over (too much, extra, above, superior), out (away, outside, better, more than), im (not), sub (under), mis (wrong or bad), non (not), in (not or in/within/towards), ex (out/down), de (opposite of/down/away), under (below), super (over, above),
  12. Nouns ending in s, x, z, ch, and sh add es for the plural.  Children need not memorize this rule, for when the –es is added here is a recognizable sound difference from just –s.
  13. For words ending in silent e, just add s for plurals, but drop the final e before adding –ed or –ing.
  14. Some nouns ending in –f or –fe form the plural by changing the –f or   –fe to –ves. 
  15. Some nouns ending in –o form the plural by just adding –s.  There is no regularity in this and it often requires memorization.  Some examples: radios, videos, patios, and banjos.  Some exceptions: potatoes, tomatoes, and tornadoes. 
  16. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ing.
  17. For words ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding –ed.
  18. “H-Brother Diagraphs:” When h follows c, s, t, w, or p the combination stands for a new sound:  th, ch, sh, ph, wh
  19. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings: there/they’re/their.
  20. Homographs are words that have the same spelling, have different meanings, and may have different pronunciations. 
    1. I live here/ I saw a live bear.
    2. I like to read/Have you read this book?
    3. Sit close to the table/ Please close the door.
  21. Contractions: putting two or more words together and replacing a letter or letters with an apostrophe can make new words.
  22. At the end of a one-syllable word the long i sound is spelled with a y.
  23. At the end of a two or more syllable word the long e sound is spelled with a y.
  24. The consonant-le ending is a syllable that always ends a word.  The final e is silent.  We hear only the two consonants. 
  25. Multiple spellings of same sound: oi (beginning or middle of a word: oil, point) and oy (end of a word: boy)
  26.  The schwa sound:  In polysyllabic words the vowel sound of an unaccented syllable almost always becomes slurred or indistinct.  The sounds it makes is somewhere between a short u and no sound at all (schwa). 
  27. –r controlled vowels:  when a vowel is followed by the letter r it has a new sound: or, ar, er, ir, ur
  28. A compound word is smaller words joined together.  Keep all the letters when spelling compound words: water + proof = waterproof
  29. Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.
  30. Synonyms are words that have similar meanings.
  31. A possessive is a word that shows ownership.  Some possessives need an apostrophe.
  32. Sometimes two letters together stand for only one sound: kn and wr at the beginning of words (knee, write), gn at the beginning or end of words (gnat, sign), mb at the end of words (comb).
  33. Multiple spellings of same sound: ou (usually at the beginning or middle of a word: out, couch) and ow (at the end of a word often followed by an n,l,or d: frown, growl, crowd)

 

 

  1. Knowledge of Latin and Greek roots unlocks the meaning of many words:
    1. Latin Roots

                                                              i.      port: to carry

                                                           ii.      cent: one hundred

                                                         iii.      voc: to call

                                                          iv.      pod/ped: foot

                                                            v.      struct: build

                                                          vi.      rupt: break

                                                       vii.      dic: speak

                                                     viii.      loc: place

                                                         ix.      form: to shape

                                                            x.      aud: hear

                                                         xi.      terr: land

                                                       xii.      dec: ten

                                                    xiii.      ject: throw

    1. Greek Roots

                                                              i.      phon: sound

                                                           ii.      graph: write

                                                         iii.      meter: measure

                                                          iv.      scop: see

                                                            v.      micro: small

c.      Greek Word Parts

                                                              i.      logy: study of

                                                           ii.      aster: star

                                                         iii.      therm: heat

                                                          iv.      sphere: ball