22. Words ending in ck and k: back, quick, ink, mark

The lesson, step by step

1. The pattern

   At the end of a short word, right after a short vowel, the k sound is spelled ck: back, deck, quick, rock, luck. After a consonant it is just k: ink, bank, mark, ask.

2. Read the table aloud

   Read the table aloud together, a column at a time. You say a word, your child says it back while pointing to it. Then your child reads a column alone. Some of the words:

   back, pack, quack, quick

   deck, chick, brick, clock

   rock, luck, plank, ink

   mark, ask, disk, trunk, spark

3. Spell aloud

   Now the old way: your child looks at a word, then spells it aloud and says it.

   Sayq, u, i, c, k, quick.

   Go down a column like this. Then cover the column, say a word, and have your child spell it aloud without looking.

4. Read the sentences

   Under the table are short reading lessons that use its words. Your child reads them aloud, pointing to each word. Help with any word not yet learned. Two of them:

   The smell of the pink is sweet.

   I can play when my task is done.

5. Dictation

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence of your own, and say it again. Your child writes it. Try these: back, deck, quick, clock, luck, ink, mark, ask.

   Check together against the book. Any word that came out wrong goes on a card for tomorrow.

6. Wrap up

   Your child sorts: words that need ck, and words that end in plain k. Ask why.