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Silent Letters and Advanced 'ch = /k/' Spelling Words List

Learning to spell words with silent letters and words where 'ch' makes the /k/ sound can be challenging for students. This collection of words helps students master these advanced spelling patterns that often appear in academic and scientific vocabulary.

Word List for Silent Letters and 'ch = /k/' Sound

Here are common words that feature either silent letters or the 'ch' making a /k/ sound:

  • echo
  • ache
  • school
  • scholar
  • scheme
  • chrome
  • chronic
  • chronicle
  • chord
  • chorus
  • chaos
  • character
  • chemist
  • chemistry
  • chemical
  • stomach
  • monarch
  • anchor
  • orchid
  • orchestra
  • mechanic
  • technical

Educational Standards Alignment

These spelling words align with several Common Core Standards. Specifically:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2.F: Use spelling patterns and generalizations (e.g., word families, position-based spellings, syllable patterns, ending rules, meaningful word parts) in writing words.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.D: Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.

This word list supports these standards by helping students recognize and master the pattern where 'ch' makes the /k/ sound, particularly in words of Greek origin. Many of these words are commonly found in academic and scientific contexts, making them especially valuable for building advanced vocabulary while reinforcing important spelling patterns.

Teaching Tips for These Words

When teaching these words, it's helpful to group them by their Greek origins. Many words with 'ch' pronounced as /k/ come from Greek, especially in scientific terminology (chemistry, chemical, chemist) and words related to the arts (chorus, orchestra). This historical connection can help students remember the unusual spelling pattern.

The silent letter patterns in words like "school" and "anchor" can be taught by highlighting how these letters, while not pronounced, often carry historical meaning and help distinguish between homonyms in written English.

Practice Strategies

Students can benefit from various approaches to mastering these words:

  1. Word sorting activities that group words by their spelling patterns
  2. Creating memorable sentences that use multiple words from the list
  3. Breaking words into syllables to understand their structure
  4. Studying the Greek origins of these words
  5. Using the words in scientific or academic writing contexts

Creating Custom Worksheets

To help your students practice these challenging words, you can create customized worksheets that focus on specific patterns or groups of words from this list.

Create a worksheet using words from this list

Remember that consistent practice with these words will help students develop confidence in both their spelling and vocabulary skills.