Below are listed the spelling rules on which you will be tested each Tuesday. Also listed are five of the ten words which will be on the test. The other five words will be words which fit the rule, but you will not be given them ahead of time. You will need to learn and understand the spelling rule so you can apply it during the test. There will also be a bonus question or two each week for extra credit. These could be review words from previous weeks, the definition of a particular spelling word, something we studied in GOTCHA, etc. Once again, you will not know this ahead of time, but good study habits like really learning your words each week and looking up words which are new to you will be rewarded (smile). If you don't understand a rule or ever need help, be sure to ASK! This site has some hints for studying spelling: Spelling Resources and this one is interactive:Commonly Misspelled Words. If you would like to hear the words pronounced (and find out what else we're doing in class this week, call the home-phone 24-hour recording at 955-6942, teacher number 5202 (area code 352).
Week One: A vowel usually has a short sound when it is the only vowel in the word and not the last letter in the word.
Week Two: A vowel usually has a short sound when it is the only vowel in the syllable and not the last letter in the syllable.
Week Three: "When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking." When two vowels are together, the first is usually long and the second is silent.
Week Four: A silent "e" at the end of a syllable usually causes the other vowel in the syllable to be long.
Week Five: When a vowel is the last letter in a syllable, it is usually long.
Week Six: "C" usually makes the "s" sound when followed by e, i, or y.
Week Seven: "G" usually makes the "j" sound when followed by e, i, or y.
Week Eight: " 'I' before 'e' except after 'c' or when sounded like 'a' as in neighbor or weigh." Use the above rule in words with the long e sound spelled "ei" or "ie."
Week Nine: When the "ie/ei" combination does not have the long "e" sound, it is usually spelled ei.