Word Analysis:
Rule of Silent E
Introduction:
Students who have learned the sounds of the consonant letters and the short sounds of the
vowels are ready to learn about long vowels with the rule of silent e. This strategy provides
direct instruction.
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Strategy: Using Rule of Silent E
Materials Needed:
Show the student the Word Card with tap.
Say: This word is tap. The letter a in tap has the /a/ sound.
Show the student the card with tape.
Say: This word is tape. Tape looks different from tap. What do you see that is different?
(An e has been added.) Tape sounds different from tap. What do you hear that is
different? (You hear a different vowel sound in the middle.) The e at the end of the word
causes the short vowel sound in the middle to change to a long vowel sound. A long
vowel says its own name.
Show the student the card beginning with hop.
Say: Here are some words you know. Read these words.
After the student reads the words,
Say: Watch as I add an e to each of these words. (Place the silent e card next to the first
card so that the e’s line up next to the words.) Now let’s read these words together.
Read each word with the student at the student’s pace.
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If the student has difficulty with any of the words, remove the silent e card and review the
word without the silent e. Then move the silent e card back and read the word again with the
student. |
When finished reading the four words,
Say: Adding the e at the end made the vowel say its own name in these words. But
the e doesn't have a vowel sound of its own here. We call this the “rule of
silent e.”
Show the student the card with two columns of words.
Say: Now read these words by yourself.
Allow the student to read, and give aid as needed.
If the student reads most of the words, show the card with the sentences.
Say: Now try these sentences.
Point to each sentence as the student reads it. Give aid as needed.
On the Student Record Form, record the student’s responses and note whether learning this
skill seemed easy or difficult for the student.
Interpreting and Using TTS Results:
Most students will find the rule of silent e easy if provided with instruction, practice, and
review activities that include both words with short vowels and words with silent e added.
Books with a controlled vocabulary can be used for practice along with sentences created by
the teacher with words the student knows.
