Who Put the Spell into Spelling?

An Illustrated Storybook to Support Children with Fun Rules for Tricky Spellings

Georgie Cooney, Molly Hickey

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2020
• eBook ISBN: 9781000026207
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education General

*This storybook should be used alongside the workbook, Supporting Children With Fun Rules for Tricky Spellings*

This beautifully illustrated storybook has been created to support learners who, after acquiring the basics of reading and writing, have struggled to organically grasp the rules that govern spelling in the English language. The colourful storybook tells the story of the 'Super Spelling School for Letters', and the teacher who helps all the students come together to make words. Twenty-two of the most important spelling rules are explored and given meaning through the engaging story; each followed by a 'quick quiz' to help solidify the rule in the long-term memory. Additionally, there is an activity for each rule which includes reading, spelling and writing in context. This is in the workbook Fun Rules for Tricky Spellings available within this set.

Key features include:

• An engaging story that connects the spelling rules together and gives them meaning, making them easier to remember
• Quirky and colourful illustrations, allowing children to visualise the spelling rules and the way they work in the English language

Developed with feedback from teachers and students, this is an invaluable resource for teachers and parents looking to support learners who find spelling a challenge, or who are learning English as an additional language.

Go to Worksheet 2

Rule 1: Magic E makes the other vowel sounds say their names

When e is put at the end of a word, it makes the single vowels in the word say its alphabet name. e.g. hope.

When Miss Magic realises that e is disliked by the other vowels, she tries to make everyone happier by asking e to work with some of the consonants. So she puts v before e.

v has a tantrum when he discovers that he has to be followed by e at the end of words. So this doesn’t help the problem!

Go to Worksheet 3

Rule 2: V before E at the end of words

v comes before e at the end of a word ending with a /v/ sound. e.g. grave.

After another argument between the vowels, y finds i in fits of tears.

i is shy and says that she is tired of all the fighting. But worst of all, she is fed up of being put at the end of words and feels lonely.

y, who is gasping for the chance to join the vowels, suggests to Miss Magic that she takes i’s place at the end of the word. The rule, though, is that she uses i’s name.

Miss Magic thinks it is a great idea and y is then allowed into the group of vowels (but only sometimes).

Go to Worksheet 4

Rule 3: Y says the name of ‘i’ at the end of words

y can replace ‘i’ at the end of words or syllables but still sounds like i’s name. e.g. my or myself.

Miss Magic decides that y is doing such a good job of saying i’s name at the end of the word that she makes y say e’s name, also at the end of some words.

Go to Worksheet 5

Rule 4: Y says the name of ‘e’ at the end of words

y can replace ‘e’ at the end of words but still sounds like e’s name. e.g. angry (often seen in adjectives, adverbs and nouns).

Miss Magic becomes increasingly worried that all her hard work is not making things better. The vowels ar...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Welcome
• Alphabet Rainbow
• Rule 1: Magic E makes the other vowel sounds say their names
• Rule 2: V before E at the end of words
• Rule 3: Y says the name of ‘i’ at the end of words
• Rule 4: Y says the name of ‘e’ at the end of words
• Rule 5: Doubling L, S, Z and F after a short vowel sound
• Rule 6: C before K after a short vowel sound
• Rule 7: T, C and H after a short vowel sound
• Rule 8: S before H after a short vowel sound
• Rule 9: S makes plurals and helps verbs agree
• Rule 10: E and S make plurals and help verbs agree (after hissing sounds)
• Rule 11: F is replaced by VES when making plurals
• Rule 12: I, E and S make plurals
• Rule 13: O can end some words
• Rule 14: A can introduce words
• Rule 15: A and N join together to introduce nouns beginning with vowel sounds
• Rule 16: ‘I’ is a word on its own
• Rule 18: Q before U
• Rule 19: W can change vowel sounds
• Rule 20: T can change irregular verbs into the past
• Rule 21: Copycat C
• Rule 22: Y’s sound comes at the beginning of words
• Quick Quiz Answers