Lesson 37: Homophones - Bee vs. Be

WHEELER'S ELEMENTARY SPELLER

GRADES 2–3 PHONICS • HOMOPHONES (WORDS PRONOUNCED ALIKE) • POETRY STUDY

STUDENT WORKSHEET

NAME:

DATE:

CLASS:

SCORE:

PHONICS & SPELLING RULES TO REMEMBER

RULE 1 • VOWEL TEAM DIGRAPH “EE” (bēe)
The vowel team ee represents a single phoneme: the tense Long e /iː/ sound. In classical Webster notation, the first e carries a macron (ē) showing its sound quality, while the second e is silent to complete the spelling structure (bēe).

RULE 2 • HOMOPHONES: BEE VS. BE
Bee and be sound identical (/biː/). Bee (with -ee) is a noun naming the honey-making insect. Be (with single -e) is an open syllable linking or auxiliary verb (to be happy, to be kind).

RULE 3 • FLOSS RULE & CHOOSING K VS. C
FLOSS Rule: In 1-syllable words, a short vowel before final /l/ doubles the l to -ll (tell, bell, sell, fell).
K vs. C: Use k before front vowels (e, i as in keep); use c before back vowels (a, o, u as in can, cot, cup).

bee /biː/ • Webster: bēe

Noun: A small flying insect that makes honey and buzzes.

be /biː/ • Webster: bē

Verb: To exist, live, or remain (be good, be quiet, can be).

1 Write from dictation and supply the missing words (bee / be) on the lines:

Buzz! buzz! buzz!

This is the song of the .

The song was very soft and low,

And sweet as it could .

STUDENT TRANSCRIPTION (Write the complete lines with missing words):

Line 1:

Line 2:

Line 3:

Line 4:

2 Use these words in sentences of your own: Compose a complete, neat sentence for each homophone:

1. bee (noun - insect) Starts with capital • Ends with period

2. be (verb - to exist) Starts with capital • Ends with period

3 Homophone Discrimination & Dictation: Select the correct spelling, then write from dictation:

CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOMOPHONE (bee or be)

1. A yellow made honey in the wooden hive. (bee / be)

2. Please gentle and quiet near the baby. (bee / be)

3. Can you ready when the school bell rings? (bee / be)

4. The stinging flew quickly to the blossom. (bee / be)

CLASSROOM DICTATION:

Cài đặt Âm thanh (Web Speech API)

LESSON 37 • HOMOPHONES • BEE VS. BE