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  • '-tch' Spelling Rule Skill Explainer

A Chant for the '-tch' Rule

Video thumbnail for Quick Look: A Chant for the '-tch' Rule
Produced by Reading Universe, a partnership of WETA, Barksdale Reading Institute, and First Book
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Lynda Knowles: So we all know that 'c-h' says ...

Ms. Knowles and students: /ch/, /ch/, /ch/ ...

Lynda Knowles: and 't-c-h' is going to say ...

Ms. Knowles and students: /ch/, /ch/, /ch/, /ch/, /ch/.

Lynda Knowles: Now there's a little bit of a difference. Are you ready?

Student: Yeah.

Lynda Knowles: 'c-h' can be at the beginning of a word. It could be in the middle of a word. It could be at the ...

Ms. Knowles and students: end of the word.

Lynda Knowles: 't-c-h' is going to be at the end of a word immediately following a short vowel. In a short word, one syllable word. Okay. Are you ready to do some work? Okay. Go ahead and turn over your papers and let's look at the top. There's a rule at the top. Everyone say "rule."

Students: "Rule."

Lynda Knowles: So put your fingers on the word. You can read it with me.

Ms. Knowles and students: Immediately after a short vowel at the end of a short word, spell /ch/ as 't-c-h'.

Lynda Knowles: Good job. Say good job to your friend.

Students: Good job!

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Support Materials

'-tch' Flash Cards With and Without Picture

Print these letter flash cards with and without pictures to help students practice '-tch'.

Download Flash Cards

Lesson Plan for '-tch' vs '-ch'

Use this lesson plan to teach students spelling with '-tch' vs. '-ch' at the end of words.

Download Lesson Plan

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.