There are five spellings for the /k/ sound we teach in the Orton Gillingham Approach. We are going to explore each and look at their rules and derivatives to assist with decoding and encoding the English language.

The five spellings of the /k/ sound are:

• c
• k
• -ck
• ch
• -que (sometimes “qu” in the middle of a word)

1.)  The first spelling for the /k/ sound is “c.”

There are 3 uses for the letter “c” making the /k/ sound in the English language:

• At the start of words followed by “a,” “o” & “u” or followed by a consonant
  • Let us look at a few examples:
    • cat
    • coat
    • cub
    • card
    • court
    • cute
    • cry
    • climb
• In the middle of a word followed by “a,” “o” & “u” or followed by a consonant (generally a “t”)
  • Let us look at a few examples:
    • scat
    • scoot
    • scuff
    • elect
    • act
• At the end of a multisyllabic word
  • Let us look at a few examples:
    • frolic
    • music
    • rustic
    • archaic
    • arithmetic

NOTE: Many of the words with “c” as saying the /k/ sound in the English language have derived from Latin. Let us look at a few of those examples:

• cucumber
• secret
• doctor
• vacuum

2.) The second spelling for the /k/ sound is “k.”

There are 3 uses for the “k” as making the /k/ sound in the English language:

• At the beginning of a word followed by “e,” “i” or “y”
  • Let us look at a few examples: 
    • kennel
    • Kiss
    • Kyle
• In the middle of a word followed by “e,” “i” or “y”
  • Let us look at a few examples:
    • skein 
    • skim
    • sky
• In an Anglo-Saxon VCE (vowel consonant -e) word or following a vowel team or a consonant
  • Let us look at a few examples
    • bike
    • lake
    • poke
    • crook
    • task
    • croak
    • peak

NOTE: Many of the words we use in the English language are Latin, which does not use the letter “k.”

3.) The third spelling for the /k/ sound is “-ck.”

This spelling is used at the end of a one syllable word following a short vowel. We, at the Orton Gillingham Online Academy, refer to this rule as the Soldier Rule (the “c” is the soldier that stands silent and protects the short vowel from the big “k” at the end).

• Let us look at a few examples:
  • back
  • speck
  • lock
  • pluck

4.) The fourth spelling for the /k/ sound is “ch.”

This spelling is only found in Greek words & used most often in advanced words.

• Let us look at a few example:
  • chemistry
  • mechanic
  • chord
  • character

5.) The fifth spelling for the /k/ sound is “-que” at the end of words (& sometimes “qu” in the middle of words).

This spelling is derived from French & does not occur very often in the English language.

• Let us look at a few examples:
  • opaque
  • plaque
  • technique
  • turquoise
  • mosquito

Understanding the multiple spellings of the phonemes in the English language is essential for accurate decoding and encoding skills. When we teach our students with Dyslexia the rules of the English language, such as the five spellings for the /k/ sound, we are providing them with the reasoning tools necessary to maximize their potential with their literacy skills.

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