C Says /S/ Before E, I and Y!

Have you ever used this spelling rule in your classroom to help your students remember when the letter C makes a hard or soft sound?

In English, one letter can represent multiple sounds. The letter C can make a /k/ sound, as in the word ‘cat’. It can also make a /s/ sound, as in the word ‘celery’. It takes a lot of exposure and repeated practice for our youngest students to know when each sound is being made.

This worksheet has been designed to help your students identify when the letter C is making a hard sound and when it is making a soft sound. It contains 11 examples of words containing the letter C. A visual representation of the word is also provided. Students must identify whether the letter C is saying /k/ or /s/, then circle the correct choice. An answer sheet is also provided.

Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

In addition to individual student work time, use this worksheet as a:

• guided group activity
• lesson exit ticket
• homework assignment
• whole-class review (via smartboard).

Challenge students who already understand the concept to compile lists of words that contain the hard and soft C sound.

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

A Variety of Ways to Prepare This Resource

Because this resource includes an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete.

You can also turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity! Print a few copies on thick card and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse.

Additionally, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks.

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.