Instructions
This worksheet will help you become a spelling detective by teaching you the rule for using -ck or -k at the end of a word. Follow the steps below for each section.
- Read the rule carefully in Section 1.
- Complete the short warm-up activity in Section 2 to identify vowel sounds.
- Fill in the blanks in the main practice table using the rule you learned.
- Complete the challenge sections for extra points!
Section 1: The CK vs. K Spelling Rule
The letter 'c' and the letter 'k' often work together to make the /k/ sound at the end of a word. The choice depends entirely on the letter that comes right before the sound.
| Rule | When to Use | Example Words |
|---|---|---|
| RULE 1: Use -CK | Immediately after a SHORT VOWEL (a, e, i, o, u). | duck, rock, stick, neck, truck |
| RULE 2: Use -K | After a LONG VOWEL (e.g., i_e, a_e, o_a), TWO VOWELS together, or a CONSONANT. | bike, tank, cook, look, soak, dark |
Short Vowel Review
- a (as in cat)
- e (as in pet)
- i (as in pig)
- o (as in dog)
- u (as in tub)
Section 2: Vowel Check (Scaffolding Activity)
For the words below, look at the letter(s) immediately before the missing /k/ sound. Circle the vowel/consonant and then determine if you need to use -ck or -k.
| Word Base | Vowel/Consonant Before Gap | Short Vowel (CK) or Other (K)? | Answer (CK or K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| lo___ | o | Short Vowel (CK) | CK |
| tru___ | |||
| ba___ | |||
| sli___ | |||
| loo___ | |||
| pa___ |
Section 3: Applying the Rule (Core Practice)
Complete the following words by writing either -ck or -k in the blank space.
| Word | Add -ck or -k? | Completed Word |
|---|---|---|
| Example: ro___ | ck | rock |
| sti___ | ||
| sna___ | ||
| spi___ | ||
| boo___ | ||
| brea___ | ||
| tre___ | ||
| sto___ |
Section 4: Real-World Spelling
Imagine you are writing a letter to a friend describing a trip to the farm. Fill in the blanks in the paragraph using the correct ending (-ck or -k).
Yesterday we took a long hi up the hill. At the top, we watched a du drinking from a po. We brought a sma sna with us to eat. It was a perfect, sunlit tra. I hope we can ba__ the trip next year!
- Hi___ (Hint: Long 'i' sound)
- Du___ (Hint: Short 'u' sound)
- Po___ (Hint: Short 'o' sound)
- Sna___ (Hint: Short 'a' sound)
- Tra___ (Hint: Short 'a' sound)
- Ba___ (Hint: Long 'a' sound)
Section 5: Challenge Words (Advanced Practice)
Some words have other vowels or consonant sounds before the /k/ sound. Use the rules from Section 1 to complete these slightly harder words.
| Word | Add -ck or -k? | Rule Used (CK or K) |
|---|---|---|
| Example: thi___ | nk | Rule 2: Consonant 'n' before K |
| stu___ | ||
| dar___ | ||
| blan___ | ||
| cli___ |
Answer Key
Section 2: Vowel Check (Scaffolding Activity)
| Word Base | Vowel/Consonant Before Gap | Short Vowel (CK) or Other (K)? | Answer (CK or K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| lo___ | o | Short Vowel (CK) | CK |
| tru___ | u | Short Vowel (CK) | CK |
| ba___ | a | Short Vowel (CK) | CK |
| sli___ | i | Short Vowel (CK) | CK |
| loo___ | oo | Other (Two Vowels) (K) | K |
| pa___ | a | Short Vowel (CK) | CK |
Section 3: Applying the Rule (Core Practice)
| Word | Add -ck or -k? | Completed Word |
|---|---|---|
| Example: ro___ | ck | rock |
| sti___ | ck | stick |
| sna___ | ck | snack |
| spi___ | ke | spike (i is long due to silent e implication) OR spick (less common, short 'i') -- Use K for spike. |
| boo___ | k | book (oo is two vowels/vowel team) |
| brea___ | k | break (ea is a vowel team) |
| tre___ | k | trek (e is short, but this is a common exception/loan word usually taught as k) Standard Phonics Rule says CK, but use K. (Accept CK or K, but K is correct spelling) |
| sto___ | ck | stock |
Section 4: Real-World Spelling
- Hik
- Duck
- Pock
- Snack
- Track
- Back
Section 5: Challenge Words (Advanced Practice)
| Word | Add -ck or -k? | Rule Used (CK or K) |
|---|---|---|
| Example: thi___ | nk | Rule 2: Consonant 'n' before K |
| stu___ | ck | Rule 1: Short 'u' |
| dar___ | k | Rule 2: Consonant 'r' before K |
| blan___ | k | Rule 2: Consonant 'n' before K |
| cli___ | ck | Rule 1: Short 'i' |