Grade 3 · English Language Arts · Unit 4 of 13
Spelling Patterns
Vowel teams and word endings
What your child practises
Spelling long vowel sounds with vowel teams (ai, ay, ee, ea, oa, ow, igh, ie) and adding -ed and -ing by doubling a letter, dropping a silent e or just adding the ending.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: Demonstrate grammar, spelling, and punctuation that clarify written communication. · spelling patterns that make writing clear
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which word has the same vowel team as “light”?
- coat
- bright
- tie
Show answer
bright
Hint: A vowel team is two or more letters that spell one vowel sound. “light” uses igh. Look for the word spelled with igh: bright.
Question 2
Add “-ing” to “ride”. Which spelling is correct?
ride + ing
- riding
- ridding
- rideing
Show answer
riding
Hint: “ride” ends with a silent e. Drop the e, then add -ing: riding.
Question 3
Which word has the same vowel team as “peach”?
- cried
- team
- sheep
Show answer
team
Hint: A vowel team is two or more letters that spell one vowel sound. “peach” uses ea. Look for the word spelled with ea: team.
Question 4
Which letters finish the word for the picture?
🥧p__- ie
- y
- igh
Show answer
ie
Hint: Say “pie” slowly and listen for the long vowel sound. In this word it is spelled ie: pie.
Question 5
Which letters finish the word for the picture?
🚆tr__n- ai
- ay
- oa
Show answer
ai
Hint: Say “train” slowly and listen for the long vowel sound. In this word it is spelled ai: train.
Question 6
Add “-ing” to “sit”. Which spelling is correct?
sit + ing
- sitting
- siting
- siteing
Show answer
sitting
Hint: “sit” has one short vowel and ends with one consonant. Double the last letter, then add -ing: sitting.