Silent e

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Silent e
Language - Writing
Silent E 4.JPG
LevelPrimary
Age4 +
PrerequisitesKey Sound Folders
Materials2 single color movable alphabet sets

This activity teaches the child the concept of the silent e. It should only be introduced after the child is familiar with other vowel digraphs.

Presentation

  1. Take the two single color movable alphabet boxes to a mat or large table.
    Phonogram Boxes 1.JPG
  2. "Let's spell the word 'pie.' /p/.../ie/."
    Silent E 1.JPG
  3. "In the word 'pie' these two letters work together to spell the sound /ie/."
    Silent E 2.JPG
  4. "Sometimes when we spell a word with the sound /ie/, these two letters have another letter in between."
    Silent E 3.JPG
  5. "Let's spell the word 'pine.' /p/.../ie/.../n/."
    Silent E 4.JPG
  6. The 'i' and the 'e' aren't right next to each other, but the 'e' can still reach back to work with the 'i' to spell the sound /ie/."
    Silent E 5.JPG
  7. Try some other words as shown.
    Silent E 6.JPG Silent E 7.JPG
  8. Later, show example with 'u_e'.
    Silent E 8.JPG Silent E 9.JPG Silent E 10.JPG
  9. The other silent 'e' spellings should be taught later as alternatives to 'ai', 'ee' and 'oa'.


die - dime, dine, dive
lie - life, like, line
pie - pike, pile, pine, pipe
tie - tide, tile, time

cue - cube, cute
due - dude, duke, dune
rue - rule

doe - dome, doze
hoe - hole, home, hope, hose
Joe - joke
toe - tone
woe - woke

Points of Interest

  • The letters aren't next to each other but are still working together

Control of Error

  • The child could be given cards with pictures of things with silent 'e' spellings. The correct spellings could be on the back to check the work.

Variations and Extensions

  • The starting word can be written on paper and then cut apart to fit in the in-between letter.

Material

Make Your Own