Reading Strategy

Follow these steps to read words that end in y.

  • 1 Does the word have one vowel or more than one vowel?

    illustration of the word try

    Y is the only vowel here. So it sounds like long i.

    illustration of the word twenty

    I see two vowels, e and y. So the y sounds like long e.

  • 2 If there is one vowel, start at the beginning of the word and blend the sounds.

    illustration of the consonant and vowel blends for the word try

    If there are two vowels, divide the word into syllables. Blend the syllables. Say the long e sound for the y at the end.

    illustration of the two syllables that make up the word twenty

Reading Practice

Use what you learned to read the sentences.

  • 1. In fifty years, people can look back at your life today.

  • 2. Just make a time capsule that tells your story. Try it!

  • 3. Get a box. On top, write “My Year 2009,” for example.

  • 4. Put in your school yearbook, along with things from your hobbies or sports.

  • 5. Include funny things, like an old pair of dirty sneakers.

  • 6. Write words that explain what each thing means to you.

Spelling Practice

7.–11. Now write the sentences that your teacher reads.

Spelling Help

For words that end in a consonant + y, change the y to i and add -es to form the plural.

skyskies
pennypennies

Word Work

12. Read these words. Then write each word on a card.

    Example

  • 12. illustration of word cards for sky and puppy

    Sky has 1 syllable.
    Puppy has 2 syllables.

puppypennywhy
skycandyfunny
twentybysticky
flytrymy

Put the words with the long i sound in one group.

Put the words with the long e sound in another group. What do you notice?