Silent letters can be puzzling for young spellers. These are letters that appear in the spelling of a word but aren't pronounced when speaking. Understanding these can boost spelling confidence and accuracy.

🤫 Common Silent Letter Patterns

1. Silent 'k' in 'kn' Words

When 'k' precedes 'n' at the beginning of a word, the 'k' is silent.

  • Examples: know, knife, knock

These words are featured in Rocket Spelling's Level 6.5, helping students recognize and practice this pattern.

2. Silent 'w' in 'wr' Words

In words starting with 'wr', the 'w' is silent, and only the 'r' sound is heard.

  • Examples: write, wrong, wrestle

These are also part of Level 6.5, reinforcing the silent 'w' concept.

3. Silent 'e' at the End of Words

A silent 'e' at the end of a word often changes the vowel sound from short to long but isn't pronounced itself.

  • Examples: make, time, note

Rocket Spelling covers these in Levels 4.1 through 4.6, guiding students through this transformative silent letter.

🧠 Why Silent Letters Matter

Silent letters can indicate a word's origin or help differentiate between homophones. Recognizing them enhances reading fluency and spelling accuracy.

🚀 Practice with Rocket Spelling

Rocket Spelling's interactive levels provide targeted practice on silent letters:

Engaging with these levels helps students internalize silent letter rules through repetition and context.