List 6.

1: Long a Patterns

Dear Parents,

In spelling this week, we are focusing on words that have the long a sound (), like in
cake. We will still have some words that follow the CVCe pattern, but other patterns can
also make the long a sound:
magic e = rate (CVCe)

ay = say (CV)

ai = pain (Two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking) (CVVC)
Sorting the words into their categories, like below, will help students remember which
word is spelled with which pattern. Here are the categories with a few helpful hints:
The ai combination is almost always used when the consonant n or l follows
the long a sound such as in the words main, rail, and maintain.
The ay is almost always used when a word or last syllable in a word is an open
syllable. This means you dont hear a consonant at the end of the word- you only
hear the long a sound such as in the words day, lay, or dismay. Notice the y is a
vowel here but helps make the long a sound.
If the word/syllable does not end in an open syllable (where you only hear the
vowel at the end of the word) and it does not end in an n or l, then it will most
likely use the CVCe pattern.
Students should complete the necessary activities for the assigned words to be turned in
by Friday. If it helps them, students can also choose to sort their words by cutting them
out and sorting them into the categories below: Sorting the words will help your child
learn the new patterns and rules associated with these words as opposed to just
memorizing the words themselves.
My Pattern Words to Study:
CVCE
1. shape
2. taste

AI
1. nail
2. brain
3. main
4. sail

AY
1. day
2. tray
3. stay

Oddball
1. they*

List 6.2: Long a Patterns

Dear Parents,

In spelling this week, we are focusing on words that have the long a sound (), like in cake. We
will still have some words that follow the CVCe pattern, but other patterns can also make the
long a sound:
magic e = rate (CVCe)

ay = say (CV)

eigh = sleigh (CV)

ai = pain (Two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking) (CVVC)
Sorting the words into their categories, like below, will help students remember which word is
spelled with which pattern. Here are the categories with a few helpful hints:

The ai combination is almost always used when the consonant n or l follows the long
a sound such as in the words main, rail, and maintain.

The ay is almost always used when a word or last syllable in a word is an open syllable.
This means you dont hear a consonant at the end of the word- you only hear the long a
sound such as in the words day, lay, or dismay. Notice the y is a vowel here but helps
make the long a sound.

The eigh combination is not used often. Students will just learn which words are spelled
with this combination. Notice this is the same sound as the ay, but the ay combination is
much more common. Some words that include this pattern are eight, weigh, and sleigh.

If the word/syllable does not end in an open syllable (where you only hear the vowel at
the end of the word) and it does not end in an n or l, then it will most likely use the
CVCe pattern.

Students should complete the necessary activities for the assigned words to be turned in by
Friday. If it helps them, students can also choose to sort their words by cutting them out and
sorting them into the categories below: Sorting the words will help your child learn the new
patterns and rules associated with these words as opposed to just memorizing the words
themselves.

My Pattern Words to Study:

CVCE
1. shape
2. taste

AI
1. nail
2. entertain
3. handrail
4. brain

AY
1. holiday
2. maybe
3. always

EIGH
1. eight
2. weigh

Oddball
1. they*
2. again*

List 6.3: Long a Patterns

Dear Parents,

In spelling this week, we are focusing on words that have the long a sound (), like in cake. We
will still have some words that follow the CVCe pattern, but other patterns can also make the
long a sound:
magic e = rate (CVCe)

ay = say (CV)

eigh (sleigh)

ai = pain (Two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking) (CVVC)
Sorting the words into their categories, like below, will help students remember which word is
spelled with which pattern. Here are the categories with a few helpful hints:

The ai combination is almost always used when the consonant n or l follows the long
a sound such as in the words main, rail, and maintain.

The ay is almost always used when a word or last syllable in a word is an open syllable.
This means you dont hear a consonant at the end of the word- you only hear the long a
sound such as in the words day, lay, or dismay. Notice the y is a vowel here but helps
make the long a sound.

The eigh combination is not used often. Students will just learn which words are spelled
with this combination. Notice this is the same sound as the ay, but the ay combination is
much more common. Some words that include this pattern are eight, weigh, and sleigh.

If the word/syllable does not end in an open syllable (where you only hear the vowel at
the end of the word) and it does not end in an n or l, then it will most likely use the
CVCe pattern.

Students should complete the necessary activities for the assigned words to be turned in by
Friday. Students can also choose to sort their words into the categories below so they can more
easily learn any patterns or rules for this weeks spelling list. Also, try incorporating any words
your child does not know into your dialogue with him/her.

My Pattern Words to Study:

CVCE
1. safety
2. vacate

AI
1. tailor
2. ascertain
3. maintain
4. failure

AY
1. dismay
2. mayhem
3. portray

EIGH
Oddball
1. eight
1. they*
2. neighborhood 2. again*