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CK Says /k/

Use CK After a Short Vowel in a One-Syllable Word

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UFLI LESSON 44

This rap teaches when to spell the /k/ sound with CK instead of just K or C. The rule is simple: use CK right after a short vowel in a one-syllable word. The song spells out 16 words letter by letter, grouped by vowel sound: -ACK, -ECK, -ICK, and -OCK/-UCK words. This song links to UFLI Lesson 44.

Words in This Song

SPELLING WORDS

-ACK words (short a + CK)

back pack sack track

-ECK words (short e + CK)

neck deck check peck

-ICK words (short i + CK)

kick lick pick sick

-OCK / -UCK words (short o/u + CK)

rock lock duck

Spelling Word List

All 15 CK words from the rap song, ready to practise. Four groups: -ACK, -ECK, -ICK, and -OCK/-UCK words.

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The Rule

HOW IT WORKS
Use CK After a Short Vowel in a One-Syllable Word
short vowel + CK → /k/ sound

When you hear the /k/ sound at the end of a one-syllable word and there is a short vowel right before it, use CK. The short vowel signals that CK is needed, not just K or C alone. Think: back, check, kick, lock, duck: short vowel then CK every time.

When NOT to Use CK

WATCH OUT
CK is not always the answer for /k/
like / bike / rake

After a long vowel, use just K (with silent E). The vowel is long, so CK is not needed. like, bike, bake, rake, spoke, fluke all end in K, not CK.

milk / silk / bulk

After a consonant, use just K. When a consonant sits between the vowel and the /k/ sound, use K alone. milk, silk, hulk, bulk, bank, think.

cat / cup / king / kit

At the start of a word, use C or K, never CK. cat, cup, coat use C. king, kit, keep use K. CK is only for the END of a word after a short vowel.

Lyrics

CK Says /k/: Phonics Rap

Are you ready? I'm ready!

CHORUS

To learn about CK. CK says "k".
I have heard. Have you heard?
Use it after a short vowel in a one-syllable word. Okay.
CK says "k". I have heard. Have you heard?
Use it after a short vowel in a one-syllable word.

VERSE 1: SHORT A

back: b a k
pack: a k
sack: s a k
track: a k

VERSE 2: SHORT E

neck: n e k
deck: d e k
check: ch e k
peck: p e k

CHORUS

CK says "k". I have heard.
Use it after a short vowel in a one-syllable word.
CK says "k". I have heard.
Use it after a short vowel in a one-syllable word.

VERSE 3: SHORT I

kick: k i k
lick: l i k
pick: p i k
sick: s i k

VERSE 4: SHORT O & U

rock: r o k
lock: l o k
duck: d u k
luck: l u k

OUTRO

CK says "k". I have heard.
Use it after a short vowel in a one-syllable word.
CK says "k". I have heard.
Use it after a short vowel in a one-syllable word.
One more time, CK says "k".
I have heard, use it after a short vowel in a one-syllable word.

Mr. Spelling! Mr. Spelling got calm.