K or C… Which Should It Be?

When you hear the /k/ sound,
When should it be…
The letter K or the letter C?

Do you know that it is possible in the English language for one sound (phoneme) to be represented by different letters? One example of this is the /k/ sound, as in ‘kite’ and ‘cat’. The /k/ sound can be represented by two letters – C and K. So how are our little learners to know when to use which letter?

Thankfully, there are simple guidelines that can help young readers and writers to identify when the letter C should be used to make /k/, and when the letter K should be used. The rule “K takes the vowels i and e, C takes the other three” is one such guideline. While it may not apply in every possible situation, this rule can be helpful in guiding students through the process of decoding and encoding unfamiliar words.

This sorting activity has been designed to help your students identify when to use the letter C to make a /k/ sound, and when to use the letter K. It contains 24 word and picture cards with the initial letter missing. Students are required to:

• read the word on the card
• identify whether the initial letter should be C or K
• place the card under the correct sort heading. 

One Resource, Multiple Applications!

Use this resource as an English group activity or with your whole class to explore the /k/ sound with your students.

Have students shuffle the cards and split the deck equally between players, then take turns placing the cards on the correct sorting heading.

Alternatively, give each student a mini whiteboard and a whiteboard marker. Project each card onto your whiteboard, then have them write the correct initial letter on their board. When everyone has written down their answer, say, “Show Me.” Students will flip their boards, allowing you to see who needs extra support.

Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

Challenge students who already understand the concept to compile lists of words that start with the letters C and K.

Support students who need help understanding the concepts by providing visual reminders, such as a classroom poster or anchor chart.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on thick card for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access.

Before You Download

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource.

This resource was created by Kendall Britnell, a Teach Starter collaborator.