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F Y I - Number 1 Did you know that the English language is governed by a code, and that cracking this code makes spelling (and reading) easy, predictable and even enjoyable? Did you know that time spent memorizing weekly school spelling lists is time wasted? Knowing how the language works, and spelling by sounds enables you to spell (and read) words never heard or encountered previously. It's true...the more you know about the language the more perfectly coded the language will become. Even young children can master the code. They should be introduced to the system gradually, allowing for their age. The child needs to learn the regular, most useful sounds at the beginning... and then be led gradually into the more complicated letter patterns...and finally to the unusual words that comprise only about 5% of the language. To begin, test your knowledge of spelling generalizations: (Answers Below)
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| 1. In English words q is always followed by u. |
| 2. The true sound of x is ks and is found only at the end of a word or syllable, as in box or explode. |
| 3. English words can end in v. |
| 4. No English word ends in j. |
| 5. R following a vowel usually changes the sound of that vowel. |
| 6. Guessing is the only way you can tell if a vowel is short or long. |
| 7. C followed by i, e or y always has the soft sound of s. |
| 8. G followed by i, e or y always has the soft sound of j. |
| 9. The rule "i before e, except after c, or when sounded as an a...as in neighbor or weigh" is one of the easiest rules to use. |
| 10. There is a rule that tells us when to use ck or k at the end of a short word like pack, cook or link. |
© 2001 Alpha-Read |