1. When there is one vowel in the word and it is at the last, it is
long.
me he my sky
be the by cry
we she fly try
2. One vowel in the word, not at the last, is short; as, mat, nest,
pond.
(Refer to short vowel lists to test this rule.)
3. When there are two or more vowels in a syllable, or a word of one
syllable the first vowel is long, and the last are silent; as: mate,
sneeze, day. (Teacher marks the long and silent vowels as the reason for
the sound is given.)
Children mark these words and give reason: game, kite, make, coat, meat,
wait.
After rules (1 to 3) are clearly developed, apply them by marking and
pronouncing these words and giving reasons.
coat man neat
he nine box
sun feel kite
she run me
take we seam
heat bit tan
bite mad made
take cape the
mane cap lake
Rule 4.
When double consonants occur, the last is silent; tel_l_, bac_k_.
back bell kill dress duck
Jack fell till Jess tack
pack Nell fill less press
lack Bell pill neck luck
sack sell will Bess still
tack tell hill block stick
shall well mill peck trill
shell yell rock clock struck
Rule 5.
T before ch is silent: ca_t_ch.
hatch switch ditch
match stretch pitch
latch thatch stitch
patch sketch fetch
hitch scratch match
watch snatch crutch
Rule 6.
N before g, the sound of ng ([n=]): sing, also n before
k--[n=]g,--i[n=]k.
bang song lank
rang long bank
sang strong sank
hang thing tank
wink cling sung
sink swing lung
think sing swung
brink sting stung
Rule 7.
Initial k before n is silent--_k_nife.
knee knew know
knack knot knock
knob knell knife
knelt known kneel
Rule 8.
Initial w before r is silent--_w_rite.
wry wren written
wring wreak wrist
wrong wrote wriggle
write wretch wrench
wrap wreath writing
Rule 9.
Initial g before n is silent--_g_naw.
gnat gnarl gnu
gnaw gneiss gnome
Rule 10.