Spelling can be easy once you know how to
unlock the sound code. The sound code helps you to spell by
thinking of the sound parts of each word. As you go through
each lesson you learn the skills needed to spell.
You can spell if you:
1) learn the Sound Families
2) clap to the beat of the word as you say it (break word into
syllables)
3) remember a few spelling rules
Sound Families
Sound Families make sounds when they talk. Sound families
make:
1) vowel sounds (A,E,I,O,U)
2) consonant sounds
3) blended sounds
Spelling using "A" Sound Family
There are five "A" Sound Families. They look different, but
when they talk they make the same "A" sound. This lesson will
cover the first "A" Sound Family
The letters ai are a Sound Family. They stick together.
They work with each other to make one sound. The letters ai
make the "A" sound.
The ai Family never likes to be last in a word. You won't
find ai at the end of words.
Wrong: sai
Wrong: plai
Wrong: mai
If you hear the "A" sound at the end of a word, don't use ai.
Which words are spelled correctly?
1) tail tayl taiyl tael
2) maed mayd maid mayde
3) gayne gaine gayn gain
4) pian paen pain payne
5) pade paid payd paide
6) claim clame claym claem
7) rayn raine tayne rain
8) mayn main mian mayne
9) chaen chayne chain chian
10) paint pant paynt payent
Answers: tail, maid, gain, pain, paid, claim, rain, main,
chain, paint The next lesson covers another Sound Family you
can use when you hear the "A" sound at the end of a word.
