Lesson 109 Student Worksheet - Wheeler's Elementary Speller

1 Review of Vowel Sounds: Copy each test word on the handwriting line under its proper vowel column.

24 Test Words • 26px Standard Line

ā Long ā (a_e)

same a_e (Long ā)

frame fr- + a_e

flame fl- + a_e

brave br- + a_e

strange str- + -ange (soft g)

changing change + -ing (drop e)

āi Long ā (ai)

vain v- + ai team

stain st- + ai team

chain ch- + ai team

brain br- + ai team

frail fr- + ai team

praising praise + -ing (drop e)

ă Short ă

clam cl- + short ă

lamb short ă + silent b

latch short ă + trigraph -tch

snatch sn- + short ă + -tch

scratch scr- + short ă + -tch

sprang spr- + short ă + -ng

ē Long ē

scene silent c (sc-) + e_e

theme th- + e_e

speech sp- + ee team + -ch

breeze br- + ee team + -ze

freezing freeze + -ing (drop e)

cheese ch- + ee team + -se

2 Wheeler's Rule: “What became of the silent e in changing praise to praising, and freeze to freezing?”

Suffixation with -ing

praise → praise + ing → praising Drop Silent E

The Rule: When adding a suffix that begins with a vowel (like -ing), drop the silent final e of the base word.
Application: praise (ends in silent e) drops e → praising.

freeze → freezing • change → changing Preserving Soft Sounds

Application: freeze drops silent e → freezing.
Soft g rule: In change → changing, the soft g (/dʒ/) is protected because the vowel i immediately follows!

3 Dictation & Review Synthesis: Copy each sentence carefully. Observe vowel sounds and silent-e dropping.

26px Standard Lines • 13px Midline

1. Dictation Line 1: “The brave child saw the strange flame rise above the wooden frame.” Review Long ā

2. Dictation Line 2: “A cool breeze sprang up and was rapidly freezing the calm lake.” Drop e in freezing

3. Synthesis: Write an original sentence using at least three test words (e.g., praising, lamb, cheese): Creative Application

Wheeler's Elementary Speller • Lesson 109