Question about the phonograms.

[Renee in FL]

I found a list that has 72 phonograms. It seems to make sense, but one question:

What about the a_e words and other silent e words? Are their rules to learn as well?

I am confused.

[Ellie]

I found a list that has 72 phonograms. It seems to make sense, but one question:

What about the a_e words and other silent e words? Are their rules to learn as well?

I am confused.

Usually, spelling teaches the final silent e rule this way: single vowel, single consonant, final silent e: the first vowel says its "long" sound. However, Spalding and its lookalikes teach 5 reasons for silent e (or some variation of these):


Single vowel, single consonant, final silent e: the first vowel says its name.
English words don't end with u or v, so words like blue and have use the final silent e (blue would still be pronounced the same way without the e, because a, e, o, and u usually say their names at the end of a short word or syllable)
C and g can say their second sounds when followed by e (chance, garage)
All syllables in English words have a vowel; words like "bubble" and "little" would be pronounced the same way without the final silent e, but there must be a vowel.
There's no reason. It's the "no job" e.
HTH.

[Renee in FL]

Thanks Ellie for this and the spelling rules!