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I Before E Except After C: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 5
- ForYear 5
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
I Before E Except After C is a free printable spelling worksheet for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10). Children read multiple choice questions, each with three spellings, and circle the one that is correct. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children meet multiple choice spelling questions under the heading Which is correct? Each question gives three spellings, and they circle the one they think is right. They use the i before e rule to decide, then check their choice. Page 2 holds the answers, plus a stretch idea about words that break the rule. The sheet is short and focused, so it suits a calm, quiet session.
- Which is correct?
Ways to build spelling confidence
Say it, then look
Read each word aloud before choosing. Listen for the sound in the middle of the word. The sound often tells children which rule to think about.
Cover and compare
Cover two spellings and look at one at a time. Ask, does this look right? Seeing words one by one helps children notice small differences.
Keep a rule notebook
Write the rule on the first page. Add words that follow it, and words that surprise you. A short list of exceptions is easier to remember than a long one.
Use the words in sentences
Spelling sticks better when a word has a meaning. Ask children to say a sentence with the word before they write it.
Why learn a spelling rhyme?
The rhyme i before e except after c is a memory aid, called a mnemonic. It helps writers choose between ie and ei when a word has those two letters together. It works best for words where the letters make an ee sound. English has many spellings that do not follow tidy patterns, so a rule like this gives children something to hold on to. It is useful, but it is not perfect.
Because the rule has exceptions, children need to do more than memorise the rhyme. They need to look closely at a word, say it aloud and notice the sound. Choosing between three spellings builds that habit. It trains the eye to spot what looks right and what looks wrong, which helps in their own writing as well as on a worksheet.
Skills and curriculum link
- Spelling rules
- Choosing the correct spelling
- Checking work
- Spotting exceptions
- Listening for sounds
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | English | Writing: transcription (spelling) | Year 5 |
What children will be able to do
- I can use the rule i before e except after c.
- I can spell words such as receive and believe.
- I can spot words that break the rule.
Ideas that help with this rule
- Listen to the soundThe rule is mostly about words where ie or ei makes an ee sound. Say the word slowly and listen before choosing.
- Look at the letter beforeThe rhyme asks one question. Which letter comes just before the pair? That letter tells you which order to expect.
- Expect exceptionsSome words do not follow the rule. Treat them as words to learn by sight, not as mistakes in the rule.
- Check by writingWrite the word you chose on scrap paper. Does it look right? Writing it often shows a wrong choice quickly.
Key words
- Spelling ruleA pattern that helps you decide how to spell a word. Most rules have some exceptions.
- ExceptionA word that does not follow the rule.
- VowelOne of the letters a, e, i, o and u. Most words have at least one.
- MnemonicA short phrase or rhyme that helps you remember something.
- Letter pairTwo letters that sit next to each other in a word, such as ie or ei.
- SyllableOne beat in a word. Clap the beats to hear them.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the heading Which is correct? together. Say the rule aloud: i before e except after c.
- Work through the first questions together. Ask your child to say each word and explain why they chose that spelling.
- Let your child circle the rest on their own. Then check against the answers on page 2 and talk about any that were missed.
- Come back another day and redo the tricky ones. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say the rule aloud before each question. Cover two of the three spellings and look at one at a time. Check which letter comes before the pair of letters. Try a few questions first, then take a break and come back to the rest.
To stretch confident children
Look for exceptions such as weird. Make a list of words with ie or ei that you find in books or around the house. Sort them into words that follow the rule and words that do not. Then write a short note about what you found.
Make it a game
Write a sentence for each word you circled. Swap sentences with a friend or grown up and read them aloud. Look for any spelling that seems wrong and say why. Score a point for each one you spot and fix correctly.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child applies the rule to every word with ie or ei, even when the sound is not ee.
Try thisSay the word aloud and listen. Remind them the rule is mostly for the ee sound, and that some words are exceptions to learn separately.
Watch forA child remembers the rhyme but forgets to look at the letter before the pair.
Try thisAsk, what letter comes just before? Point to it with a finger. Make this the first question every time.
Watch forA child guesses by picking the spelling that looks most familiar.
Try thisSlow down. Cover the options, say the word, then uncover them one at a time and give a reason for each choice.
Talk about it
- What does the rule say, and when does it apply?
- Why do you think people made up a rhyme for this rule?
- Which spelling looked wrong at first glance, and why?
- Can you think of a word that does not follow the rule?
- What helps you remember a tricky spelling?
- How could you check a spelling without using a screen?
Take it off the page
Spelling hunt
Look through a favourite book for words with ie or ei. Write them on a list and read them aloud. Sort them into two columns.
Rainbow writing
Write each word three times in different coloured pencils. Say the word as you write it. Cover it, then try to write it from memory.
Rule poster
Make a small poster of the rule with a few example words. Hang it where your child writes or does homework.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first few questions, then let them lead. Ask them to explain each choice. If they get stuck, say the word aloud together and remind them of the rhyme.
Teachers
Use it as a starter after teaching the rule, a plenary, an early finisher task or supply cover. The stretch idea on page 2 suits confident spellers, and the help idea supports those who need a prompt.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider spelling plan. It pairs well with reading, word hunts and writing sentences. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in spelling
Before this, children meet common spelling patterns and learn to listen for sounds in words. They practise spelling words with a teacher or grown up, and begin to notice letter patterns that repeat.
After this, children move on to more spelling rules, words with similar sounds but different meanings, and more exceptions. They learn to use what they know to check their own writing, and to use a dictionary when they are unsure.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What does the rule say, and when does it apply?
- How would you spell the word that means to get something?
- Which word can you find that does not follow the rule?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is I Before E Except After C for?
It is written for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10), in Key Stage 2. Older or younger children can try it too if they are working on this spelling rule.
- What will children practise?
They practise using the i before e rule to choose the correct spelling. They also check their choices and think about words that break the rule.
- How do I use the worksheet?
Print both pages. Give page 1 to your child and ask them to circle the correct spelling in each question. Keep page 2 for notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
- What if it feels too hard?
Go back to the rhyme: i before e except after c. Say each word aloud, cover two spellings at a time and work through a few questions together. Come back to the rest another day.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- Do I need a screen or colour printing?
No. It is a screen free printable that needs only paper and a pencil. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.