We know that the long e sound says its name. But how many ways are there to spell this long vowel sound? There are NINE different ways to spell the long e sound. Knowing these different spelling patterns for this one sound is vital in developing phonemic awareness that will support students on their journey of becoming strong, confident, and fluent independent readers. As students move from picture-heavy readers to more text-heavy books, they need to be equipped to confidently tackle words without guessing or using pictures. Targeted phonics instruction will not only help students decode more fluently, but students who have strong decoding and fluency skills also comprehend what they read more efficiently. In this post, I list each of the eight spelling patterns as well as when each spelling pattern is most likely to be used.

e

Can spell the long e sound at the end of a syllable. Ex: equal; we

e_e

Can spell the long e sound when the silent final e makes the e say its name. Ex: athlete

ea

Can spell the long e sound at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a word. Ex: eat; dream; tea

ee

Can spell the long e sound at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a word. Ex: eel; feed; bee

ei

Can spell the long e sound the beginning or in the middle of a word. Ex: either (dependent on geographic location); receive

ey

Can spell the long e sound, often at the end of a word. Ex: honey

i

Can spell the long e sound when followed by a consonant and silent final e, at the end of a syllable followed by a vowel, or at the end of foreign words. Ex: submarine; radio; spaghetti

ie

Can spell the long e sound in the middle or at the end of a word. Ex: piece; movie

y

Can spell the long e sound at the end of a multisyllabic word. Ex: jelly

For targeted practice with the different spelling patterns of the long e sound, check out this decodable reading resource in my shop.

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