E_e words (long e with silent e)

How do you teach e_e words?

E_e is the rarest silent e pattern, so it needs less time. "E, consonant, e: the first e says its name." Read these, eve, Pete, then longer words such as complete, extreme and athlete, where e_e sits in the last syllable.

What mistake do students make with e_e words?

Students read these as /thĕz/. Show the pattern with a scoop from e to e. In spelling, students use ee or ea for /ē/, which are far more common. That is a reasonable choice; e_e words are best learned as a short list.

Where do e_e words come in the sequence?

E_e is usually taught with or after a_e, i_e and o_e, often in a review lesson. In the sequence we use, the pattern is taught in Lesson 57.

Exceptions worth knowing

Here and there look like e_e but have r after the vowel. Were has a different sound. In words like recipe, the final e is said.

Decodable sentences

Every word in these sentences can be read at Lesson 57 or earlier, or is a heart word taught by then.

• These are the best.
• The theme of the game is fun.
• Eve made these.