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C, K, CK, or CH Spellings

There are many ways to spell /k/, and there is no specific rule to know when spelling words with this sound. It is necessary to cue the phonogram needed to spell words with this sound because students are not expected to know which spelling to use intuitively.

 

Consider Spelling Patterns for C and K

When spelling with the phonograms c or k, some spelling patterns can help.

  • K is the most common spelling of the sound /k/ after a consonant, after a multi-letter vowel, and after a long vowel sound.
  • C is the most common spelling of the sound /k/ at the beginning of the word.
  • K is used to spell words at the beginning of a word, primarily before an E, I, or Y.

 

Using Spelling Rule 1 

This Logic of English rule states: C always softens to /s/ before an E, I, or Y; otherwise, C says /k/. 

 

C

K

Both

cat

key

circus

close

keep

circle

cut

kite

cycle

 

Is there a Spelling Rule for when to use a K?

Many beginning reading programs use an inverse of Spelling Rule 1 for spelling words with k. Though many words spell /k/ using k before e, i, or y and c before an a, o, u, or before a consonant, there are numerous words, including foreign loan words, that deviate from the pattern. 
 
kabob alkaline karma know
Alaska haiku kayak skunk
kangaroo koala koi kosher

 

Logic of English only teaches reliable rules that do not create exceptions. If there was a rule that directed students to spell words with a k before e, i, or y, too many exceptions would be created. 

 

Using Spelling Rule 26

This Logic of English rule states ck is used only after a single vowel which says its short sound. Multiple words in English use ck to represent /k/.
 
back duck neck chicken
pick mock sticky sticky
stack block knock rocket
 
 

Using CH to Represent /k/ 

Multiple words in English use ch to represent /k/. The words that use ch to represent /k/ typically are of Greek origin.

ache orchid mechanic anchor
school archive character pachyderm
chord monarchy chameleon chemistry
 
There are multiple spellings that represent the sound /k/, and there is no way to know which one to use. The goal of Logic of English is to teach accurate rules that prevent confusion, so it is vital to tell students which phonogram they should use during spelling analysis.

 

 

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