Magic e

The "magic e" is a useful rule in English phonics that can help early readers decode and pronounce words more accurately. It’s also known as the "silent e" or "bossy e." Here’s how it works:

When a word has a vowel followed by a consonant and then an "e" at the end, the "e" is usually silent, but it makes the preceding vowel say its name (or long sound). The consonant sound doesn’t change.

Here are some examples:

• "can" becomes "cane" (long "a" sound)
• "kit" becomes "kite" (long "i" sound)
• "tap" becomes "tape" (long "a" sound)
• "hop" becomes "hope" (long "o" sound)

The "magic e" rule doesn't work all the time, and there are exceptions. But it's still a helpful tool to improve reading skills. As with all phonics rules, the magic e rule should be taught alongside other strategies to help children develop a well-rounded understanding of reading and spelling.