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  • Spelling with 'c' vs. 'k' Skill Explainer

Quick Look: How to Remember 'c' vs. 'k'

Video thumbnail for Quick Look: How to Remember 'c' vs. 'k'
Produced by Reading Universe, a partnership of WETA, Barksdale Reading Institute, and First Book
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Students: 'c', cat, /k/ ... 'k', kite /k/ ...

Ashton Smith: Wait a minute ...

Students: 'c', cat, /k/ ... 'k', kite /k/ ...

Students: /k/, /k/ ...

Ashton Smith: Do they make the same sound?

Students: Yes!

Ashton Smith: Great. Okay, so how do we know when to use it? Let's see.

Student: Curvy 'c' goes with curvy 'a', curvy 'o', curvy 'u' ... and straight 'k' goes with straight 'i', straight 'e', straight 'y' ...

Ashton Smith: Very nice, very nice.

What did you notice?

Support Materials

Spelling Rules for 'c' vs. 'k'

Print out these spelling rules to help students remember when to use 'c' and when to use 'k'.

Download Rules

Reading Universe is made possible by generous support from Jim & Donna Barksdale; the Hastings/Quillin Fund, an advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (opens in new window); the AFT (opens in new window); the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation (opens in new window); and several anonymous donors.

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