We’re back to tackle another challenging English language concept: the initial hard /k/ sound in words, which can be spelled with either a letter K or a C at different times. Did you know the K and C words don’t usually share vowels? I didn’t learn this until I began to homeschool my own children.
As with most so-called rules in the English language, there are exceptions to this one (examples such as Kate or kale, among a few others). But as a general rule, when a word starts with the /k/ sound:
- if the first letter is followed by an I or E, the word will begin with K,
- if it is followed by an A, O, or U, then the word will begin with the letter C.
(I suppose it has something to do with the /s/ sound made when the letter C is followed by E or I … but it can be confusing none the less, especially to young learners.)
Here at A Reason For Homeschool, we love to get hands-on with our lessons and make learning fun; this game is no different. Using a fun little kite path, your child will “fly” their way to mastering this concept.
Supplies needed:
- printed copy of our free game PDF download
- a brad to make your spinner
- scissors
Game set-up:
- print the free PDF (card stock is recommended but not required)
- cut out all of the individual pieces
- assemble your spinner as shown in the photo
- tape together the two pages of the game board to make it all one piece (depending on your printer, you may first want to trim the edges that touch)
Directions for play:
Take your cut-out pieces and set aside four colored kites. these are to be used as player game pieces. Take the remaining kites (black and white ones with words that have a missing first letter) and sprawl them out face-up where they can be easily read. (We have included some extra blank kites if your child would like to get artsy with theirs, or you want to add more words that we haven’t included.)
Beginning with each player’s game piece in the position marked “START,” spin the spinner and follow the directions. Move your kite accordingly; depending on whether you land on a kite with a K or a C, the child then chooses one of the kites with the missing initial letter that would match the letter they landed on. For example, if they landed on C, they might choose the kite that says “_ute” — showing they know that “cute” has the vowel U following the initial /k/ sound, so it will be spelled with a C, and so forth.
If your child is completely new to this concept, we have included a self-checking word list that they can look back to for answers. After they have found a kite that works, set aside the “used” kite piece, and it becomes the next player’s turn.
Keep an eye out for the tree on the spinner board! Your kids don’t want to get their kite “stuck” and lose a turn!
The first person to land on the kite that says “END” is the winner.
Happy flying!
Download your copy of this printable game today:
Free Educational Game - Hard "K" Sound
