Silent E — 2nd Grade Lesson
Students will understand how a silent e changes a short vowel to a long vowel and will read CVCe words.
2nd Grade · Phonics · ~15 min lesson
The quiet letter that changes everything
The silent e doesn’t make a sound — but it changes the word. It makes the vowel say its name (the long vowel sound).
- cap (short a) → cape (long a)
- hop (short o) → hope (long o)
- kit (short i) → kite (long i)
The CVCe pattern
Silent e words follow the CVCe pattern:
Constant → Vowel → Consonant → e
c-a-p-e → cape. The e is silent; the a says its name.
Short vs. long vowels
| Word | Short vowel | Word with e | Long vowel |
|---|---|---|---|
| cap | /a/ | cape | /ā/ |
| hop | /o/ | hope | /ō/ |
| kit | /i/ | kite | /ī/ |
| cub | /u/ | cube | /ū/ |
| not | /o/ | note | /ō/ |
How to read a silent-e word
- Spot the CVCe pattern (there’s an e at the end).
- Don’t say the e.
- Say the vowel’s name instead of its short sound.
Example: c-a-p-e → don’t say the e → the a says its name → cape.
How to practice at home
- Cover the e: read the short word (cap), then reveal the e and read the long word (cape).
- Word flip: make a card for cap and cape; flip and read both.
- Sort: sort words into short-vowel (cap) and long-vowel (cape) columns.
Practice with the exercises above, then download these free printable worksheets:
Practice Exercises
Try these on your own, then reveal the answer to check.
Add e to 'cap' to make a new word.
💡 Now the a says its name.
Add e to 'hop' to make a new word.
💡 The o grows from /o/ to /o/ long.
Does 'kit' become 'kite' or 'kits' when you add e?
💡 k-i-t-e.
The word 'cube' has a silent e. What does the u say?
💡 The e makes the vowel say its name.
Why is the e in 'note' called silent?
💡 You hear n-o-t, but the vowel is long.
Printable Worksheets
Put this lesson into practice with free, printable worksheets — each with an answer key.
Before You Start
- Short vowels and CVC words
- Consonant digraphs
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Reading the silent e out loud
- Missing the vowel change (reading 'cap' for 'cape')
What to Learn Next
Browse more Phonics worksheets or explore all 2nd Grade worksheets.
Related Worksheets
Silent E Worksheet
Add a silent e to change short-vowel words into long-vowel words, then read each new word.
Silent E Worksheet Set 2
A silent e at the end makes the vowel say its name: cap → cape, tap → tape. Add e or choose the right word.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the silent e rule?
When a word follows the CVCe pattern (consonant-vowel-consonant-e), the e is silent and the vowel before it says its name: cap → cape, hop → hope.
Why does silent e matter for reading?
It's a major spelling pattern in English. Knowing it lets readers decide between short and long vowel sounds in thousands of words.
Original & reviewed. Every worksheet is created in-house from a grade-level skill brief, checked for a correct answer key, and reviewed for grade-appropriateness. Our editorial policy.