Page 245 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Language Arts

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SPELLING REFERENC E

Useful spelling rules

• The “ee” sound at the end of a word is almost always • When words end in a silent -e, drop the silent -e
spelled with a y, as in emergency and dependency. when adding endings that begin with a vowel:
There are exceptions to this rule, such as fee and coffee. for example, when adding -ing to give to form
giving. Keep the silent -e when adding endings
• When all and well are followed by another syllable, that begin with a consonant: for example, when
they only have one l, as in already and welcome.
adding -s to give to form gives.
• When full and till are joined to a root syllable, the • If a word ends with an “ick” sound, spell it using ick
final l should be dropped, as in useful and until.
if it has one syllable, as in click and brick. If the word
• When two vowels go walking, the first one does the has two or more syllables, spell it using ic, as in electronic
talking. This means that when there are two vowels next and catastrophic. Some exceptions to this rule include
to each other in a word, the first one represents the sound homesick and limerick.
made when spoken, while the second vowel is silent, as • The letter q is usually followed by a u, as in quiet
in approach and leather. There are some exceptions to and sequence.
this rule, including great and build.

Mnemonics and fun spelling tips

ocean
dilemma Only cats’ eyes
affect and effect Emma faced are narrow.
Affect is the action; a dilemma.
effect is the result.

soldier
Soldiers sometimes
misspells desert and dessert die in battle.
Miss Pells never What’s the difference between
misspells. deserts and desserts? Desserts
are sweeter with two s’s
for sugars.
island
An island is land that is
difficulty surrounded by water.
Mrs. D, Mrs. I,
Mrs. FFI, Mrs. C, height and weight
Mrs. U, Mrs. LTY. There is an eight in secretary
height and weight. A secretary must
keep a secret.

measurement piece hear
You should be sure of your You have to have a Hear with
measurements before you pie before you can your ear.
start work.
have a piece.