Some letters are in a word but make no sound. In knife and knot the k is silent, in wrap and write the w is silent, in lamb and thumb the b is silent, and in light and night the gh is silent. These are some of the trickiest words to spell, because the child hears one thing and has to write another. This worksheet prints a word and the letters that make it up.
The child says the word aloud, listens for each sound, and circles the letter that is written but not said. Some choices are two letters together, such as gh, because those letters are silent as a pair. Ask your child to say the word slowly and hold up a finger for each sound, and then to look for the letter that has no finger.
What your child will learn
Notice letters that are written but not said
Know the silent letters in kn, wr, mb and gh words
Say a word slowly to hear its sounds
Common Core standard: RF.2.3
Worked example
The word is knife. You say nife, so the k makes no sound. Circle the k.
Common mistake
Circling the second letter, such as n in knife, because it is the second letter, instead of the one that makes no sound.
Helpful hint
Say the word slowly. Which letter do you see but not hear?