Introduction to Magician Letters

In English, letters usually have a sound we know well. For example, the letter a usually says "a" as in cat. But did you know that the letters w and qu are like magicians? When a vowel comes after them, they can "cast a spell" and change the way that vowel sounds!

Don't worry if this seems a bit strange at first. Once you learn these three "magic tricks," you will be a spelling superstar. This chapter will help you spot these tricky words so they don't trick you in your writing!

Trick 1: The /o/ sound spelled with 'a'

Usually, when we hear the /o/ sound (like in hot or pot), we write the letter o. However, when that sound comes after a w or a qu, we often use the letter a instead!

After w:

Think of the word wash. It sounds like w-o-sh, but we spell it w-a-s-h. The w has changed the a sound!

  • want (sounds like wont)
  • watch (sounds like wotch)
  • wander (sounds like wonder)

After qu:

The same thing happens after qu. Think of the word squash. It sounds like there is an o in the middle, but it is actually an a.

  • squash
  • quantity
  • quarrel

Quick Review: If you hear an /o/ sound after a w or qu, try spelling it with an a!

Trick 2: The /er/ sound spelled with 'or'

We usually hear the /er/ sound in words like her or bird. But when this sound follows a w, we often spell it with the letters or.

Think of the word worm. It sounds like w-er-m, but the w makes us use or.

  • word (sounds like werd)
  • work (sounds like werk)
  • world (sounds like werld)
  • worth

Memory Aid: Imagine a wiggling worm! Even though it sounds like "er," the w always wants the o to join the r.

Trick 3: The /or/ sound spelled with 'ar'

This is the trickiest one! Usually, the letters ar make the sound you hear in car or star. But when ar comes after a w, it changes its sound to /or/ (like the sound in for or short).

Think of the word warm. It doesn't sound like arm; it sounds like w-or-m.

  • war
  • ward
  • warn
  • towards

Did you know? The word warm and the word worm look very similar, but the magic w makes them sound different! Warm (with an a) sounds like form, and worm (with an o) sounds like term.

Summary Table: The Magician's Rules

Here is a quick guide to help you remember how the sounds change:

If you hear... | And it follows... | Spell it with... | Example
/o/ (as in hot) | w or qu | a | want, squash
/er/ (as in her) | w | or | work, word
/or/ (as in for) | w | ar | warm, war

Common Mistakes to Watch Out For

Because these words are "tricky," many people make these mistakes. Try to spot them before you finish your work:

  • Don't write "wosh" – Remember, the /o/ sound after w is usually an a (wash).
  • Don't write "werd" – Even though it sounds like her, it needs an o (word).
  • Don't mix up "warm" and "worm" – Remember: Warm has an a (like warm cake), and worm has an o (like a round worm).
Check Your Progress

Now that you know these rules, you can look for them in your reading books! You will see w and qu changing sounds all the time. For more help with tricky spellings, you can also look at our notes on Common Exception Words and Homophones.

Key Takeaway: The letter w and the letters qu change the sound of the vowels that follow them. If a word sounds strange after a w, think about the magician's tricks!