Making the y to i Spelling Rule Fun with 3 Easy Activities

When it comes to teaching kids about adding suffixes, the dreaded “y-to-i” rule can be a tricky one. You know the one — when you add -ed, -ing, -er, or other suffixes to words that end in “y,” you need to change the “y” to an “i.” For example, try + ed = tried. But how do you get your students excited about this seemingly mundane task? Let’s explore some fun and creative ways of making changing the y to i spelling rule more enjoyable for everyone. When a word ends in a consonant plus a y, change the y to an i and add the suffix.  When a word ends in a vowel plus a y, just add the suffix. When adding the suffix ing, the y does not change. Imagine you have a word like “happy”. If you want to add a word part to the end, like “-ness”, you change the “y” to an “i”. So “happi-ness”. This makes the word easier to read and helps us follow the spelling rules. Just remember, when you add a word part to a word that ends with “y”, change the “y” to an “i”.

Fun Ways To Practice The Y To I Rule

Play Games

One way of making learning more interactive is by creating games! If your students are already familiar with hangman, you can use it as a platform for teaching students when and why they should change the y at the end of a word when adding a suffix. Instead of guessing letters from a pre-selected word, have your student guess words with different endings like ‘try’ or ‘tries’. To make it even more fun, award points for every correct answer!

Make it Visual

Another great way to explain this concept is by using visual aids. For example, create a poster with two columns—one labeled “Y Ending Words” and one labeled “I Ending Words.” Have your students come up with examples for each column (e.g., carry/carried; fry/fried). You can also try having them draw pictures next to each example so that they remember these rules better! Have your students draw or illustrate words with a y at the end and then add suffixes. You can also give them flashcards with words and ask them to draw a line from the word to its suffix. They can even make up their own sentences where they have to use some of these words correctly in a sentence. This is a great way to get your students involved while still teaching them the rules and concepts in an entertaining way. → Get your free spelling rule visual anchor charts here.

Role Play

Roleplay activities are also an effective way of teaching kids how and why they should change the y at the end of a word when adding suffixes. Have your students act out different situations where they would need to use words ending in either “y” or “i,” such as trying out for sports teams or competing in academic competitions. This will help them understand why certain words require changes while others don’t!

Resources for Teaching and Practice

Are you looking to help your students ace spelling rules with ease? The Changing Y to I Rule Spelling Tools activity packet is here to get the job done! Packed full of fun, multisensory activities such as interactive notebook pages, anchor charts, word-building activities, memory anchors, practice pages, and more – this tool will give students the boost they need in no time. This engaging, interactive game will provide hours of entertainment for the classroom and homeschoolers alike – valuable practice for 1-1-1 doubling, changing y to i, and dropping the e when adding a suffix. So don your detective hat, grab an enchanted map full of clues, sharpen your wits, and enjoy the journey that is Spelling Island’s Adding Suffixes Digital Hunt game!

Books to Explore

How to Teach Spelling by Laura Toby Rudginsky How to Spell 4 Books SET – Workbooks 1-4 by Laura Toby Rudginsky Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers By Louisa Cook Moats, Ed.D. Teaching kids about changing the y to I spelling rule does not have to be boring or tedious! Try using games, visual aids, and role-play activities to make learning more interactive and fun for everyone. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to keep your students engaged while effectively teaching them about changing the y at the end of words when adding suffixes! Happy Spelling, See these spelling posts and watch for more rules coming soon. < img class=”align-left wp-image-6086 size-medium” src=”https://tammysteachingtools.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/teaching_spelling_rules-169×300.jpg” alt=” teaching the drop the e spelling rule tips for teachers” width=”169″ height=”300″ />