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The Soft C Rule is an easy way to determine when the letter c in a word is pronounced as a “soft” c using the /s/ sound. Mastering this useful rule makes words that have a c easier to spell and is crucial for long-term reading fluency.
Take a quick spin with Bumble in this fun, short video as he reviews the Soft C Rule. Then read on for a sample lesson, a free practice activity, and a printable Soft C Rule poster featuring everyone’s favorite spelling bee … Bumble!
The Soft C Rule is this:
That’s it!
If the letter c is before an e it says /s/, as in the words “nice” and “race.”
If the letter c is before an i it says /s/, as in the words “circle” and “city.”
If the letter c is before a y it says /s/, as in the words “fancy” and “cycle.”
Many tips and tricks such as the Soft C Rule are taught in the All About Spelling and All About Reading programs. Check out these free resources for additional support when teaching the Soft C Rule.
Download All About Spelling Level 1, Lesson 16.
This Level 1 spelling lesson shows how we teach the Soft C Rule, that is, when to pronounce the letter c in a word as an /s/, and when to use c or k to spell the initial sound of /k/ in a word.
Watch as Linda demonstrates how to teach AAS Level 1, Lesson 16.
This video demonstration from Level 1 shows how we use letter tiles to teach important spelling rules like the Kids’ Club Rule.
Download our free Spelling Rules Posters.
This handy resource will help make learning three important spelling rules fun and easy to remember for your children.
Visit our Kids’ Club Rule blog post for a short video on when to use c or k at the beginning of a word.
Help Bumble cross the finish line with this fun, hands-on Soft C practice activity!
Our spelling posters are always popular with our customers and the Soft C Rule poster featuring Bumble is a favorite. Hang it in a visible place to help make learning the Soft C Rule fun and easy to remember for your learners.
Has the Soft C Rule helped your student? We would love to hear from you in the comments below! And check out our other spelling rules, too!
Lyndi
says:We are currently on Lesson 9 so almost to this one! I didn’t realize there were videos like this. Are they available for every rule? I’ll have to look into that because my kids enjoy the notes from Bumble at the beginning of the lessons so much. They’d love to see him in video form!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceLyndi,
So great to hear your kids enjoy Bumble! Unfortunately, no. We don’t have videos for every rule. It’s a good suggestion, though! I’ll pass it along.
Christina
says:This was a very useful video on the soft and hard C. I would be interested in seeing a video on the soft and hard G or tips on how to teach that. My child is in public school but I am about to start your program with my them to help improve on reading and spelling. I look forward to learning along side her.
Merry
says: Customer ServiceGreat question, Christina! Soft G is similar in that it may be soft when it follows e, i, or y. It’s slightly less reliable than the soft C rule, though, but it holds true that it’s soft about 90% of the time when it comes before e, i, or y. The reason that it is less reliable is because there is no other way to spell the hard /g/ sound in English (whereas, with C, we have K as an alternative.) A number of common words like girl, get, tiger, and so on have a hard G sound even though the g is before an e or i.
AAR 2 and AAS 2 will address soft G for reading and spelling respectively.
Have fun teaching your child and learning together! :-)
Jill DeLon
says:I am a thankful for the rules that help my child decode a word they haven’t learned.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceJill,
Oh, yes! The learning rules, phonograms, and patterns of English make reading and spelling so much easier!
Katlynn
says:I can’t believe how much I am learning as a parent while teaching my children! This is great- thank you for another great resource.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re so welcome, Katlynn! I know what you mean too. I learned so much the first two or three times through All About Spelling too!
Kelli
says:Thank you for a resource that is so easy to access! Super helpful stuff for one of my students who struggles greatly with spelling.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Kelli! I’m glad this is helpful for your student.
Lisa
says:I will bookmark this to come back to when we go through Level 1 this fall. Thanks for the great resources.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Lisa!
Melinda Adcock
says:I love the soft c rule!!! I feel like I am learning as I’m teaching my kids!!!! Thank you for also making the video. Fun visuals always help around here!!!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Melinda! We enjoy our videos, and they are fun little reviews for students too. And I know what you mean about learning as you teach your children! I felt the same way.
Jacqui DeBoard
says:The images are beautiful. So pleasing to the eye for young students.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Jacqui!
Sirina
says:Great post on Soft “C”! I plan on printing out the soft “C” poster to hang up in our class room area.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Sirina! I hope the poster is a lot of help.
JoAnna
says:We enjoyed the little video with Bumble that explains the Soft C Rule!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceGlad you enjoyed it, JoAnna! Thank you.