Year 5 - English
Applying the rule 'i before e except after c'
Noun suffixes, letter strings and homophones
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions associated with more noun suffixes like -ant, -ance, -ancy, -ent, -ence and -ency, reviewing how the addition of a suffix can affect the grammar of a word, for example its word class. Pupils investigate letter strings and homophones.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to spell words and exceptions using 'ie' or 'ei' to make the 'ee' sound.
Key Notes
- There are many ways to spell the 'ee' sound, including 'ee', 'ea', 'e-e', 'e', 'y', 'ey', 'ie' and 'ei'.
- The rule 'i before e except after c' can help choose between 'ie' and 'ei' when spelling 'ee'.
- There are exceptions, including 'protein', 'caffeine', 'either' and 'seize'.
- It is important to practise to help us learn new spellings.
- How to spell the curriculum words: rhyme, rhythm and remember.
Vocabulary To Learn
- phoneme: the smallest unit of sound that can change a word's meaning
- grapheme: the letter or group of letters that represent a sound (the spelling)
- exception: a case or situation that does not follow the usual or expected rule or pattern
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may choose the wrong spelling strategy to practise a particular word.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
There are many ways to spell the 'ee' sound, including 'ee', 'ea', 'e-e', 'e', 'y', 'ey', 'ie' and 'ei'. The rule 'i before e except after c' can help choose between 'ie' and 'ei' when spelling 'ee'.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'phoneme'
the smallest unit of sound that can change a word's meaning.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Children may choose the wrong spelling strategy to practise a particular word. Correction: Help pupils to make informed choices about which spelling strategy is best to learn particular types of words. For example, 'naughty letters' is useful to learn those with unusual spelling patterns. Pupils will also develop their own favourites.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Applying spelling rules with the letter string 'fer' Study Guide
- Investigating the 'ee' sound spelt 'ie' or 'ei' Study Guide
- Investigating the letter string 'fer' Study Guide
- Other sounds represented by the letter string 'ei' Study Guide
- Other sounds represented by the letter string 'ie' Study Guide
- Spelling a selection of homophones Study Guide
- Spelling further homophones and near-homophones Study Guide
- Spelling words with the suffix -ant Study Guide
- Spelling words with the suffix -ent Study Guide
- Spelling words with the suffixes -ance and -ancy Study Guide
- Spelling words with the suffixes -ence and -ency Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 5 English guide library.