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Long Vowel Spelling Words: Words with 'ie' Making the Long /i/ Sound

Understanding words that use 'ie' to create the long /i/ sound is an essential part of developing strong spelling and reading skills. This pattern appears in many common English words and follows specific spelling rules that students can learn and apply.

Long /i/ Sound with 'ie' Spelling Pattern Words

Here's a comprehensive list of words that use the 'ie' spelling pattern to create the long /i/ sound:

Basic Words

  • brief
  • grief
  • chief
  • thief
  • field
  • yield
  • shield
  • priest
  • fiend
  • shriek
  • niece
  • piece
  • fierce
  • pierce

Words with Additional Suffixes

  • grieve
  • achieve
  • believe
  • relieve
  • belief
  • relief
  • siege
  • pier

Words Ending in -ie

  • brownie
  • cashier
  • prairie

Words with -ies Ending (Plural and Third Person)

  • cities
  • berries
  • pennies
  • puppies
  • copies
  • studies
  • pities
  • carries
  • marries
  • empties

Words with -ied Ending (Past Tense)

  • copied
  • studied
  • pitied
  • carried
  • married
  • emptied

Alignment with Common Core Standards

These 'ie' pattern words align with several Common Core Standards, particularly in grades 2 and 3:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2.D: Generalize learned spelling patterns when writing words
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2.F: Use spelling patterns and generalizations in writing words

The 'ie' pattern represents a more advanced spelling pattern that students typically master in second and third grade. This word list helps students recognize and apply the pattern where 'ie' creates the long /i/ sound, as well as understand how this pattern works when adding suffixes like -s, -es, and -ed to base words.

Teaching Tips for 'ie' Words

When teaching these words, it's helpful to group them by similar patterns or meanings. For example, you might start with simple one-syllable words like "chief" and "thief" before moving on to more complex words with suffixes. Pay special attention to words that transform when adding -ed or -ies, as these demonstrate important spelling rules about changing y to i.

Using These Words in the Classroom

These words can be incorporated into various learning activities: 1. Word sorting exercises 2. Sentence writing practice 3. Dictionary skills development 4. Reading comprehension activities 5. Spelling pattern recognition exercises

Many of these words appear frequently in grade-level texts and writing assignments, making them particularly valuable for vocabulary development and spelling mastery.

Create a worksheet using words from this list

Remember that consistent practice with these spelling patterns helps students develop stronger reading and writing skills. Regular exposure to these words in different contexts will reinforce their learning and help them apply these patterns to new words they encounter.