Helpful Hints

for
Word Work Headings
The sort headings can be a bit confusing if you have never used Words Their Way.
Below are some hints to help you decipher the code. Your child may or may not see
these codes on his/her headings at this point in the year, but will most likely
encounter all or some before the year is through.

V Always represents a vowel letter

C Always represents a consonant letter
e Found at the end is referring to a silent e

Doublet refers to a double consonant (2 tt, 2 ss, etc.)

Diacritical marks:
The most common diacritical marks are the long vowel mark ( ), called the macron
and the short vowel mark ( ), called the breve to indicate which sound the vowel is
making.
VCC indicates a spelling pattern that contains 1 vowel followed by 2 consonants such
as kick, most of the time the sort headings are referring to the word endings. There
will be sorts that focus on beginning blends or even pre-fixes. Also, keep in mind that
I go over the sorts each Monday with your child so they should come home knowing
what the headings mean.