Phonological Focus: Master homophones (words that sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning). Differentiate the verb be (/biː/) from the noun bee (/biː/) through classic literature and sentence construction.
HOMOPHONES: BE vs. BEE
1
1. Copy these lines carefully, and find two words pronounced alike but spelled differently. • 2. Write the lines from dictation.
Read both literary quotations. Transcribe each line on the guidelines, then identify the two homophone words:
Selection AHenry D. Thoreau
Be not merely good ; be good for something.
Selection BJean Ingelow
O velvet bee, you are a dusty fellow !
🔍 Two words pronounced alike but spelled differently:
Word 1:
Word 2:
Dictation Practice: Write the Lines from Teacher Dictation2 Lines
2
Write answers to the following questions:
Apply your knowledge of the words be and bee to answer each question correctly:
1. What insects buzz and make honey?
Ans.
2. What would you like to be?
Ans. I should like towise.
💡Phonics & Spelling Rules to Remember
1. What are Homophones?
Homophones are words that have the exact same sound (pronunciation) but have different spellings and completely different meanings (as in be vs. bee).
2. Spelling the Verb “be”
The word be (spelled with single e) is a state-of-being verb. It is an open single-syllable word where the single e makes the long /iː/ sound.
3. Spelling the Noun “bee”
The word bee (spelled with vowel team ee) is a noun naming the stinging, honey-making insect. Always use double ee for the insect!