Silent LettersGrade 4 English for Kids
Knife, ghost, lamb, castle! Letters you write but don't say.
Silent Letters helps fourth graders spell words with letters you don't hear: the k in knife, the w in write and the b in lamb. Kids listen, type and practice silent letter words until the spellings stick.
- Grade 4 · Ages 9–10
- 4 games
- 29 practice questions
- About 15 min
- Silent Letter Pictures
- Find the Silent Letter
- Hear and Type
- Silent Letter Sentences
English typing course · Grade 4
Silent Letters · Learning goals
What Your Child Will Learn
Some letters are silent: the k in knife, the w in write and the b in lamb. You won't hear them, but you still have to type them!
- Silent Letter Pictures
- Find the Silent Letter
- Hear and Type
- Silent Letter Sentences
Why it matters
Why This Matters for Kids
Tricky spellings mastered
Silent letters cause many spelling mistakes. Learning the common patterns, like kn, wr and mb, prevents them.
Word history
Silent letters often come from older forms of English, which makes spelling a fun mystery.
Confident writing
Kids write knee, knock and climb correctly without stopping to guess.
Inside Silent Letters
How the Course Works
Short typing games: kids hear or see each word, type it, and get instant, friendly feedback.
Step 1 · Game
Silent Letter Pictures
Name each picture. Don't forget the silent letter! See a picture and type its name. (8 exercises)
Step 2 · Game
Find the Silent Letter
Type the silent letter that is missing. Fill in the missing letters. (8 exercises)
Step 3 · Game
Hear and Type
Listen and type. Remember the silent letters! Hear a word and type it. (8 exercises)
Step 4 · Game
Silent Letter Sentences
Type sentences full of silent letters. Hear a sentence and type it. (5 exercises)
Word list
Grade 4 Words and Sentences to Type
A sample of what your child hears, reads and types in this course.
- knife(noun)
- ghost(noun)
- wrench(noun)
- castle(noun)
- thumb(noun)
- lamb(noun)
- climb(verb)
- write(verb)
- knock(verb)
- wrong(adjective)
- calf(noun)
- hour(noun)
- island(noun)
- listen(verb)
- kneel(verb)
- knot(noun)
- knew(verb)
- wrap(verb)
- honest(adjective)
- autumn(noun)
- answer(noun)
- sword(noun)
- “The knight climbed the castle wall.”
- “Listen to the whistle.”
- “I wrapped the gift in an hour.”
- “She knew the right answer.”
- “The lamb has soft wool.”
For parents
Try It at Home
Learning sticks best when kids use it in real life. Here are simple ideas from this course.
Parent Tip
Make a silent letter detective list: each time you find a word with a silent letter in a book or sign, add it and circle the silent letter.
Silent Letters · Questions from parents
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this course for?
Silent Letters is a grade 4 english course for kids ages 9–10. That is Year 5 english in the UK and Year 4 in Australia. It also works well for review in the next grade, or as a challenge for a confident younger learner.
What will my child learn?
Some letters are silent: the k in knife, the w in write and the b in lamb. You won't hear them, but you still have to type them! Along the way they practice: Silent Letter Pictures; Find the Silent Letter; Hear and Type; Silent Letter Sentences.
How long does the course take?
About 15 minutes in total, split into 4 short levels. Most kids finish it over two or three sessions. Progress is saved, so they can stop any time and pick up where they left off.
Is this course free?
Yes. Silent Letters is one of the first 2 courses in Grade 4 English. Create a free parent account and your child can start right away.
Does my child need to read well to use it?
No. Every word and sentence is read aloud first, and kids type what they hear. Spelling and reading grow together as they play.
Can we use it for homeschool?
Yes. SkillBloom is built for homeschooling families. Kids work through lessons, games and quizzes on their own, and the parent dashboard shows what they finished and which skills need more practice. It works on phones, tablets and laptops.
Keep learning
More Grade 4 English Courses
- -tion and -sion WordsAction, station, television! Words that end in -shun.
- -ness and -ment WordsKindness, darkness, movement! Endings that make nouns.
- How, When, Where? (Adverbs)Quickly, quietly, soon, outside! Words that tell more about verbs.
- Where Is It? (Prepositions)Above, under, between, through! Words that show where and when.
- Tricky HomophonesThey're, their, there! It's or its? Choose the right one.
- Long Words, Step by StepDinosaur, umbrella, adventure! Type long words one part at a time.
More Grade 4 Subjects
