Become one with the letter...

When internalizing decoding rules, a little "method acting" can prove to be useful!  Give a group of kiddos card with letters so that they may become that letter and say their letter sound.  Add Bossy, Shy, Magical E (a multi-handled little letter.) He/she does not want to say its name and will make the vowel on the other side of the consonant make it say its name instead so it can be silent!  Have the children take turns being this Shy, Silent E so that everyone can better internalize the spelling and reading rule. **Remember, spelling is one of the three branches of the literacy tree:  it supports both reading and writing!  :)