When pronouncing k, say |k|, not |kŭh|. K is pronounced without an |ŭ| sound.

I NEW PATTERN. Introduce the most common spelling pattern for the |k| sound, k, as in kit. The k almost always is paired with the vowels e or i, as in keg and kit, and hardly ever with any of the other vowels.

II NEW PATTERN. Introduce the c spelling pattern for the |k| sound, as in cat. The letter c with the |k| sound almost always appears paired with the vowels a, o, or u, as in cat, cot, and cut. This is a steadfast rule. Knowing this pattern can help us remember how to spell certain words.

III NEW PATTERN. Introduce the qu spelling pattern pronounced |khw|, as in quiz. Words in the English language with the |khw| sound are spelled qu. Mention to your student that the letter q rarely appears by itself—it is almost always paired with the letter u.

A few English words have qu but are pronounced with the relatively sharper |k| sound, as heard in mosquito. Foreign words (mostly Asian and African derived) are the only words that have a |khw| sound but are spelled kw. Examples are Tae Kwon-Do and Kwanza. Proper names do not necessarily follow a regular pattern. A case in point is Iraq, which is spelled with a q but without the u. As with all proper names, the originator can direct what the spelling and pronunciation of the name will be. [See Lesson 89]

IV REVIEW the three spelling patterns that make a |k| or |khw| sound, as in cat, kit, and quiz.