The Science of Reading Formula

7 Surprising Jobs of Silent E (That Most Teachers Don't Know)


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Have you ever told your students that the word have is a rule breaker because the silent E doesn’t make the A say its name? I used to think that too—until I learned the real reasons silent E exists. Spoiler alert: have isn’t a rule breaker at all!

In this episode, I’m breaking down the seven jobs of silent E—why it’s not just there to make vowels long, and how understanding its purpose can transform your students’ spelling and decoding skills. Once you know these patterns, you’ll never look at silent E the same way again!

In this episode, I'll dive into... 

  • The 7 roles silent E plays in English spelling (hint: it’s not just about long vowels!)
  • Why words like give and have actually follow the rules—not break them.
  • A simple way to teach silent E that makes sense for students.

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The Science of Reading FormulaBy Malia Hollowell

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