Silent e
From Montessori Album
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| Silent e | |
|---|---|
| Language - Writing | |
 | |
| Level | Primary |
| Age | 4 + |
| Prerequisites | Key Sound Folders |
| Materials | 2 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
- Take the two single color movable alphabet boxes to a mat or large table.
- "Let's spell the word 'pie.' /p/.../ie/."
- "In the word 'pie' these two letters work together to spell the sound /ie/."
- "Sometimes when we spell a word with the sound /ie/, these two letters have another letter in between."
- "Let's spell the word 'pine.' /p/.../ie/.../n/."
- 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/."
- Try some other words as shown.
- Later, show example with 'u_e'.
- 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.
