What the Teacher Needs to Know about Feature I: Complex Consonant Patterns
(Description – pp. 135 - 138, Word Lists – pp. 218-220, 202-203)
Complex consonant patterns include: • triple-letter blends • spelling variations of final /k/, /ch/ and /j/ • hard and soft c and g • silent consonants The different aspects of this feature do not need to be taught sequentially. They should be chosen and taught to address the needs of your students. Triple-Letter Blends There are two kinds of triple-letter blends: 1. those in which each consonant sound is heard – str, scr 2. those in which there is a blending of a digraph and a consonant – thr, shr Final /k/ Sound Spellings for the final /k/ sound are often confused by the speller working at this stage: • In one-syllable words, the ck spelling is used with short vowel words except when the
final /k/ sound is preceded by another consonant (milk, bank, perk) when the ending is just k.
• Most long vowel words end with ke; however, long e words often end with just k. • Words with abstract vowels (shook, stalk) end in just k. • Start sorting by vowel sound, then subdivide the sound columns by pattern. • Once they realize when each ending should be used, students can sort by sound and
pattern simultaneously. Final tch and dge • Most short vowel words that end with /ch/ are spelled with tch; exceptions are much,
such, and which • Long vowels, abstract vowels, and consonants l, n, and r signal the use of ch • Final dge and ge follow the same principles • Start sorting by vowel sound, then move onto the influence of a consonant preceding
the final /ch/ Hard and Soft c and g • Soft sounds of c and g occur when they are followed by e, i, or y • Hard sounds result when a, o, or u follow the consonants • Exceptions: get, give • This is a critical concept not only for the Within Word stage but also later stages. It is
helpful in both spelling and reading.
Silent Consonants Silent letters can be addressed as a separate issue or they may be included in the appropriate vowel pattern sorts. The key is that students understand they need to be particularly attentive to the spelling of the words with the silent letters. Many of these words have homophones that will also be addressed – knead, write.
Feature I Sort 1c
king queen square
keep quit squeal
squint quick keen
kit quart squeeze
kite quiz squat
king queen square keep quit squeal squint quick keen kit quart squeeze kite quiz squat
Feature I Sort 1c k qu squ king queen square keep quit squeal keen quick squint kit quart squeeze kite quiz squat Transfer Words: keel, kept, quirk, quack, squirt, squash
Feature I Sort 2c
scat scrape shop
shrewd scamp scream
shaft shrimp screw
shrub scroll scab
scrunch ship shrank
scat scrape shop shrewd scamp scream shaft shrimp screw shrub scroll scab scrunch ship shrank
Feature I Sort 2c
sc scr sh shr scat scrape shop shrewd scamp scream shaft shrimp scab screw ship shrub scroll shrank scrunch Transfer Words: scalp, scratch, shed, shrink
Feature I Sort 3c
spin splice sprawl
square spun splotch
spree squaw squeal
sprint squint squirt
sprung split spent
spin splice sprawl square spun splotch spree squaw squeal sprint squint squirt sprung split spent
Feature I Sort 3c
sp spl spr squ spin splice sprawl square spun splotch spree squaw spent split sprint squeal sprung squint squirt Transfer Words: span, splash, sprain, squad
Feature I Sort 4c
stop strait them
threat sting strap
streak thing threw
thrive thump strength
strict throne throw
stop strait them threat sting strap streak thing threw thrive thump strength strict throne throw
Feature I Sort 4c
st str th thr stop strait them threat sting strap thing threw streak thump thrive strength throne strict throw Transfer Words: stem, strand, thank, throat
Feature I Sort 5c
block brake choke
check clock flake
lake poke duck
flock quake lack
lick spoke speak
?
block brake choke check clock flake lake poke duck flock quake lack lick spoke speak
Feature I Sort 5c
ck ke ? block brake speak check choke clock flake duck lake flock poke lack quake lick spoke Transfer Words: back, brick, rake, shake
Feature I Sort 6c
mock wake cheek
blank oak seek
pick week cook
stalk wreck junk
spark yoke clerk
mock wake cheek blank oak seek pick week cook stalk wreck junk spark yoke clerk
Feature I Sort 6c
ck ke k mock wake cheek pick yoke oak wreck seek week cook stalk blank junk spark clerk Transfer Words: lock, strike, blink, shark
Feature I Sort 7c
coach crutch botch
poach teach branch
hatch latch cinch
patch launch sketch
mulch witch pinch
coach crutch botch poach teach branch hatch latch cinch patch launch sketch mulch witch pinch
Feature I Sort 7c
ch tch coach botch poach crutch teach hatch branch latch cinch patch launch sketch mulch witch pinch Transfer Words: beach, bench, hitch, match
Feature I Sort 8c
couch torch snatch
thatch scratch scrunch
scorch pouch porch
perch much batch
hutch lunch teach
?
couch torch snatch thatch scratch scrunch scorch pouch porch perch much batch hutch lunch teach
Feature I Sort 8c
VVch Cch tch ? couch torch thatch much pouch scrunch snatch teach scorch scratch porch batch perch hutch lunch Transfer Words: coach, church, sketch
Feature I Sort 9c
dodge rage bulge
verge surge plunge
gauge fudge judge
siege nudge pledge
cringe hinge trudge
dodge rage bulge verge surge plunge gauge fudge judge siege nudge pledge cringe hinge trudge
Feature I Sort 9c
dge Vge Cge dodge rage bulge fudge gauge verge judge siege surge nudge plunge pledge hinge trudge cringe Transfer Words: badge, huge, change
Feature I Sort 10c
choice cinch song
face force juice
cyst nice niece
race since some
spice voice safe
choice cinch song face force juice cyst nice niece race since some spice voice safe
Feature I Sort 10c
c (followed by a, o, u) c (followed by e, i, y) s choice cinch song face cyst some force safe juice nice niece race since spice voice Transfer Words: bounce, dance, cent, soak
Feature I Sort 11c
gas gee jail
gel germ judge
gum gift joke
large goal gash
page stooge jolt
gas gee jail gel germ judge gum gift joke large goal gash page stooge jolt
Feature I Sort 11c
g(followed by a, o, u) g(followed by e, i, y) j gas gee jail gum gel joke gift germ jolt goal judge gash large page stooge Transfer Words: game, ridge, jar
Feature I Sort 12c
gnat knead comb
wreath wrench wrote
lamb knelt knight
knock gnu thumb
limb wry known
gnat knead comb wreath wrench wrote lamb knelt knight knock gnu thumb limb wry known
Feature I Sort 12c
gn kn mb wr gnat knead comb wreath gnu knelt lamb wrench knight thumb wrote knock limb wry known Transfer Words: gnarl, knee, bomb, wreck