Reading Strategy

Follow these steps to read a word with -ing.

  • 1 Look for the ending you know. Cover it.

    Illustration of the word “leaping.” Below: a finger covering “ing” to show the word “leap”

  • 2 Look for vowel and consonant patterns to sound out the root word.

    Illustration of a finger covering “ing” to show the word “leap.” Below: the letter “a” has been crossed out of “l ea p”

    Remember that ea makes one vowel sound. Blend three sounds to say leap.

  • 3 Uncover the ending. Blend the syllables to read the entire word.

    leap + ing = leaping

    Blend leap and ing to say the word leaping.

Reading Help

Some words end in silent e. They have a long vowel sound.

shake

Look at this word and cover the -ing.

shaking

You do not see the e in the root word, but the vowel is still long.

Reading Practice

Use what you learned to read the sentences.

  • 1. The first grade class is getting ready for a show.

  • 2. I am helping with the costumes and taking care of the children.

  • 3. Most of the children are running around. Some are screaming!

  • 4. The music is playing. The show is beginning.

  • 5. Two kids are waving at me. They dance very well!

Spelling Practice

6.–9. Now write the sentences that your teacher reads.

Word Work

10.–15. Read these words. Then write each word on a card. Match the 6 pairs that go together. What do you notice?

jumpingreachjump
hopsmilewaving
smilingwavereaching
makehoppingmaking
    Example

  • 10. Illustration: of two cards—one with the word “wave,” the other with “waving” on it

    I drop the e when I add -ing.