The most common way of spelling the OO sound or phoneme, is with OO. This is usually taught in Reception Class. This way of spelling, the OO sound or phoneme is mostly found in the middle of words. Words like soon, moon, zoom or longer words like spoon, boost, or scoop.
The next most obvious spelling alternative for the OO sound or phoneme is with a UE making the OO sound. This appears mostly at the end of words. For example; glue, blue, true, clue and longer words like argue or tissue.
Once the children know that the UE at the end of a word makes the OO sound, it’s really easy to teach the next alternative. This is the split digraph U-E.
This is when a UE are split, with a letter squeezed in the middle, but they still make the OO sound when we read them. Words containing this split digraph U-E include; use, flute, cute, tune, or June.
Another alternative for spelling the OO sound or phoneme at the end of words is with an EW. It’s easy for children to initially confuse this with UE, which also generally appears at the end of words.
A really good way to help children to understand which UE/EW to use requires a basic understanding of syllables as beats in a word. Words ending with an EW tend to be one syllable words like chew, flew, stew, crew, grew, drew, screw, and new.
Words with a UE ending instead of an EW, tend to be words with two syllables. Words like; argue, continue and rescue.
One syllable words to avoid at the point of teaching this rule include cue, glue and blue, because these disprove the rule.
The final rule that children need to get to grips with is when the letter U makes the letter sound (u like it cut), or its letter name U
(u as in uniform).
The rule to remember here is that U on its own in the middle of words, or at the beginning of one syllable words, makes its letter sound u. As in up or cut
In words of more than one syllable, where there is a U at the beginning of the word, we usually pronounce the letter name U. These words are less common and include words like; unicorn unit, universe, uniform and university.
Exceptions to avoid as examples at this stage include two syllable words like under and undo.
Although these are common words, they disprove the rule. This can be really confusing at this point of learning.
For all of the spelling rules and alternative pronunciations of sounds you’ll need to teach Letters and Sounds Phase 5 SPECTACULARLY WELL, Download my FREE PDF Super Spelling Rules guide now. It includes:
- Easy, plain English, explanations of all of the rules you’ll need
- Lists of words which prove each rule
- Exceptions to avoid
Don’t forget there are more spelling rules and alternative pronunciations to master when you’re explaining Phase 5 Phonics.
Check out these rules to teach the most common spelling choices in Phase 5 SPECTACULARLY WELL!
Alternative spellings and rules to teach the AI sound
Spelling alternatives for the EA phonics sound Phase 5
Alternative spellings for IGH phonics in Phase 5
Alternative spellings for IR words in phonics Phase 5
This is a GREAT resource! Thank you for the time you put into your work to help teachers, such as myself, obtain helpful resources. It’s a bonus that you decided to offer this for free. How can I donate?
Hi Bahiya
Thanks so much for your kind comments.
I’m so glad you find these resources useful, let me know if there’s anything else you’d find useful and I’ll think about how I can put it together for you.
There’s no need to donate anything.
Emma
The FREE PDF Super Spelling Rules guide link does not seem to work. Is the PDF still available?
I apologise for the broken link. Here is the link that works https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61f437bd60ada4164ea6fb33
Many apologies, here’s the link
https://bit.ly/3znIyun
I really loved your explanation and was looking forward to the guide for my student who is struggling. However the guide doesn’t seem to be on that link. Is there anyway to get it?
I apologise for the broken link. Here is the link that works https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61f437bd60ada4164ea6fb33