Sub Plan: Adding Suffixes to Vowel-Consonant-E Words

Grade: 3
Time: 30–40 minutes
Skill: Adding suffixes to vowel-consonant-e (silent e) words

Teacher Script Begins

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

“Good morning, class! My name is __________, and I’ll be your teacher today.
Your teacher left us a word lesson about adding suffixes to words with silent e. We’ll practice together, and then you’ll try some on your own.”

“Before we begin, please sit quietly with your materials ready.”

2. Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Write make on the board.)

“Let’s read this word together.”
➡️ Wait for students to read: ‘make’

“Who can tell me what the silent e does in this word?”
➡️ Call on a student.

“That’s right! The silent e makes the vowel say its name.”

(Write make + ing on the board.)

“Now let’s think. If we add -ing, do we keep the e or drop it?”

➡️ Wait for responses.

“That’s right — we drop the silent e.”

(Write making.)

3. Teach the Rule (5 minutes)

(Read aloud.)

“Here is today’s rule. Please listen carefully.”

When adding a suffix that starts with a vowel — like -ing, -ed, -er, or -est — to a word with a silent e, we drop the e before adding the suffix.

“Let’s say that together.”
➡️ Say as a class.

4. Guided Practice (10 minutes)

(Write these words one at a time.)

bake + ing
“Do we drop the e?”
➡️ Yes
“Good! The word is baking.”

hope + ed
“Drop the e.”
➡️ hoping

ride + er
➡️ rider

(Read each word aloud together.)

5. Student Practice (10 minutes)

“Now you’ll practice on your worksheet. Work quietly and do your best. If you’re unsure, remember the rule: drop the silent e.”

(Walk around and assist as needed.)

6. Review & Closure (5 minutes)

“Let’s review. What is the rule for adding a suffix to a silent e word?”

➡️ Students respond: “Drop the silent e!”

“Excellent job today! You worked hard, and your teacher will be proud.”

Teacher Script Ends

Notes for the Substitute

• If students finish early, have them:
   

  • Write sentences using their new words
     

  • Quiz a partner orally
     

• Encourage students to say words aloud
   

• Focus on confidence, not perfection

Posted: 1/20/2026