What is the Y Rule?
When a word ends in a ‘ y ’ like in the word pony, and you want to make the word plural – you will change the y to an i and add es. This is called the Y Rule.
Family = families
Baby = babies
Hobby = hobbies
Party = parties
The Y Rule Video
Here is the Y Rule in action. Watch our favorite teacher, Miss Renee demonstrate how to teach it:
Materials Needed
1 Whiteboard or a piece of paper
Popsicle/Craft Sticks
And that is it!
How to Begin
First, write “ies” on the popsicle sticks. Feel free to have your students decorate or color them for more fun!
Next, write the root word (or words) on the whiteboard that the students will be practicing. Here are some root words you can use to get started:
|
bunny |
candy |
army |
body |
family |
|
spy |
baby |
fly |
city |
puppy |
|
lady |
enemy |
party |
country |
army |
|
supply |
bully |
community |
discovery |
hobby |
How to Play
You will have your student first read the root word provided by you on the whiteboard or piece of paper. Then you will have your student take the popsicle stick and place it over the -y to create a plural of the word.
This activity will work really well 1:1 or in small groups in a classroom literacy center by having students partner up with each other and take turns.
More Options
You can also write the words with the plural -ies added and ask the student to write the words without the plural. For example:
Families – family
Ponies – pony
Stories – story
Parties – party
I Have a Resource For You:
Thank you so much for reading my post today. You might also enjoy reading my previous posts:
My Fun Silent -E Rule Trick That Sticks!
My Favorite Multisyllabic Word Activities
Please don’t leave without checking out the PRIDE Reading Program. The PRIDE Reading Program is an Orton-Gillingham curriculum that is used by teachers, tutors, and homeschooling parents worldwide with great success.
