The -ed Suffix Makes 3 Different Sounds: A One-Sentence Trick That Makes It Click
Here's a phonics tip I love teaching, and one that makes a real difference for K-2 readers.
When we add -ed to the end of a word, it shows that something already happened. Simple enough. But here's where it gets tricky for our students: -ed doesn't always sound the same. It actually makes THREE different sounds.
The Three Sounds of -ed
-ed says /d/ (like in "called")
When the base word ends with a voiced sound. Think: called, filled, pulled, rolled, yelled.
-ed says /t/ (like in "jumped")
When the base word ends with an unvoiced sound. Think: jumped, kicked, backed, helped, asked.
-ed says /ěd/ (like in "planted")
When the base word already ends in /t/ or /d/, -ed adds a whole extra syllable! Think: planted, twisted, melted, sanded, wanted.
The One-Sentence Trick Your Students Won't Forget
Try this Orton-Gillingham trick with your class: "He rented a boat, jumped in, and sailed away."
All three -ed sounds are right there in one sentence. Rented = /ěd/. Jumped = /t/. Sailed = /d/. Say it together, sort the three words, done. I've seen this click in a single lesson. Once students hear it, they can't un-hear it.
Then have them put their hand on their throat while they say the base word. If they feel a vibration on the last sound, -ed says /d/. No vibration? It says /t/. And if the word already ends in /t/ or /d/, they add the extra syllable.
Why This Matters for Spelling, Not Just Reading
If your students have ever written "jumpt" instead of "jumped," that's actually a GOOD sign. It means they're hearing the /t/ sound correctly! But they need to know that -ed is a meaning unit that always gets spelled the same way, no matter how it sounds. Why? Because "packed" and "pact" mean completely different things. That consistent -ed spelling is how readers know they're looking at a past tense verb, not a different word entirely.
That's the kind of connection that sticks. When students understand the WHY behind the spelling, they stop guessing and start thinking like readers.
Get All 30+ Phonics Spelling Rules in One Resource
This is one of the 30+ phonics spelling rules in my Phonics Spelling Rules resource for K-2nd Grade. Each rule comes with a reference page like the one above, plus word lists organized by pattern so your students can practice at the right level. It's all SOR-aligned and ready to print.
Try It This Week
Try the "rented, jumped, sailed" sentence with your students this week. And if you want all spelling rules organized and ready to go, the full resource is here.
I'd love to hear how it goes!
Happy teaching,
Alina - My Nerdy Teacher