scheme
nounA clever or sneaky plan to do something, often something not honest.
nounAn organized plan for doing something in the future.
nounA drawing or picture that shows how something is arranged or organized.
verbTo make a plan, especially a secret or tricky one.
nounA group of related things arranged in an orderly way.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: SC Blend
SC at the start of a word makes the /sk/ sound, like in 'scan', 'scoop', and 'scale'.
SC blends the /s/ and /k/ sounds together. Before A, O, U, and most consonants it says /sk/. Before E and I, the C softens and SC can say /s/ (scene, science).
Tip
SC scoops — /sk/ like a scoop of ice cream!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter H
The letter H makes the /h/ sound, like in 'hat', 'hop', and 'hen'. It is a soft breath of air.
H is a voiceless glottal fricative — just a puff of air with no friction. It always appears before a vowel and is sometimes silent (as in 'hour' or 'honest').
Tip
H is a puff of air — breathe out and say /h/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with E (Magic E)
In the e-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the first E say its name /iː/ — like in 'these' and 'complete'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern e-consonant-e (like 'these'), the final E is silent but it makes the first E say its long sound /iː/. This is the least common of the Magic-E patterns. Examples: these, theme, scene, complete, gene, eve.
Tip
Magic E makes E say its name — these, theme, complete!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter M
The letter M makes the /m/ sound, like in 'map', 'mud', and 'mop'. Both lips press together with voice through the nose.
M is a voiced bilabial nasal — both lips press together while the voice hums through the nose. Double M (mm) makes the same /m/ sound.
Tip
M hums like mmm — press your lips and hum!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with E (Magic E)
In the e-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the first E say its name /iː/ — like in 'these' and 'complete'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern e-consonant-e (like 'these'), the final E is silent but it makes the first E say its long sound /iː/. This is the least common of the Magic-E patterns. Examples: these, theme, scene, complete, gene, eve.
Tip
Magic E makes E say its name — these, theme, complete!
Examples
What is SnapPhonics?
A phonics reference for teachers, parents and learners. Every English word, broken into the sounds that make it — with audio, syllables, and the rule behind each spelling.
Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.