Silent E can perform different functions, depending on the word in which it is used. Sometimes called magic e or marker e, most spelling programs only discuss the first function listed below and skip the rest—but it's important for kids to know the whole story so they can see the patterns of English spelling.

Beginning in Level Two, the All About Spelling series teaches the jobs of Silent E step by step, one lesson at a time, so students can master the concepts at their own pace. The letter tiles are used to illustrate the role of Silent E in a concrete way.

Level Three of All About Spelling introduces students to the Silent E Book, which helps them identify, internalize, and categorize the jobs of Silent E.  
 

Summary of the jobs of Silent E

Job #1: Silent E makes the vowel before it long, as in note.

Job #2: Silent E can make c and g soft, as in race and page.

Job #3: Silent E keeps u and v from being the last letter in a word, as in clue and give.

Job #4: Silent E adds a vowel to words with the consonant+le syllable pattern, as in handle.

Job #5: Handyman E takes care of the jobs the other e's don't cover.

• Handyman E keeps a singular word from ending in s, as in goose. 
  
• Handyman E is often found in words where the e used to be pronounced, as in come.
  
• Handyman E is added to distinguish between two words, as in or and ore.

Learning the roles that certain letters such as Silent E play enables students to recognize similar occurrences in new words they encounter.