Shortly after students are solid with their sound-symbol relationships we begin to teach specific phonics rules. The Magic e rule is one of the first rules introduced to students. Students must learn that vowels actually have two sounds- a long sound and a short sound. When reading, students must decide if the vowel in the word makes a short or long sound. One way a vowel makes a long sound is when an “e” appears at the end of a word. An “e” close behind another vowel (with no more than one letter in between) usually makes the first vowel say its name, and the “e” is usually silent. So the vowel sound in the word “cap” is short; the vowel sound in the word “cape” is long. The “e” at the end of this word makes the vowel say its name (long sound) and then is silent at the end.
Using a story to teach this rule is often helpful. Here’s a story that teachers sometime use when introducing the rule:
Magic e has magic powers! He flies over the consonant and when he comes to the first vowel, he taps the vowel on the head with his magic wand and shouts, “Vowel, say your name! Make the sound you say in the alphabet!” Now, magic e is so tired. He flies back to his spot. He has no more energy so he goes to sleep without saying a sound.
So cute, right? Teaching the rule can be tons of fun. You can add a little movement into the story by providing students with their own “magic wand”. You can purchase foam wands in most dollar stores.
Following direct instruction you’ll want to provide plenty of opportunities for reinforcing this rule. Here are a few of my favorite activities that can be used during small group instruction or within literacy centers.
The Clip the Magic e and Flip the Magic e activities are great activities for introducing the concept of the magic e rule. With both activities, students receive practice reading words with and without the magic e. Although these discrimination activities can be used within literacy centers, they are ideal for direct instruction during small group.
When you download the Clip the Magic e activity you will receive 16 cards with picture cues and 12 words only cards. Students simply “clip” the magic e at the end of word to change the vowel sound.
The Clip the Magic e activity is available in my online Teachers Pay Teachers store or through the Make, Take & Teach website.
The Flip the Magic e activity contains 28 flip cards- 8 with 2 pics, 7 with 1 pic and 13 words only cards.
The Flip the Magic e Activity is available through my online TpT store or through the Make, Take & Teach website.
Once students understand the rule, they need multiple opportunities to practice this concept. The magic e game boards are great for providing this added practice. When you download this file you will receive 4 game boards. Did I mention that you can download this activity for FREE from my Teachers Pay Teachers store?
Just click the following link to download the FREE Game Boards: Magic e Game Boards
It’s always important to add a writing component into your instruction. I LOVE these Write It Phonics Cards. We actually have Write It Phonics Cards developed for many of the phonics skills. Just print the cards, laminate and bind them together with a loose leaf ring. Students write the correct vowel and magic e for each picture. When done, simply wipe the cards clean. They can be used over and over again!
The Write-It Phonics Cards for Magic e is available through my online TpT store or through the Make, Take & Teach website.
Along the same lines as the Write It Phonics Cards is the Activities on the Go! for Magic e. The difference is is that the cards fit into an old VHS case rather than being placed on a ring. The directions are contained on the left hand side of the case and everything needed for the activity is on the right hand side. Having the step-by-step directions handy makes this activity ideal for para-professionals or for classroom volunteers. The VHS cases store nicely on your shelves too!
The Activities on the Go! for Magic e is also available through my online TpT store or through the Make, Take & Teach website.
The Magic e Activity Pack contains 17 hands-on activities for directly teaching the magic e rule as well as activities for practicing this skill within words and sentences. This download includes a 13 page teaching manual with step-by-step directions for each activity. The Magic e story for introducing the rule as well as a printable for creating wands for the students are included.
The Response to Intervention- Magic e Activity Pack is also available through my online Teachers Pay Teachers store or through the Make, Take & Teach website.
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