Function~Content
Language of Origin
Relatives
Homophones
Location
Letter Meaning
100
I know I will get some new PJ's for Christmas!
<know> or <no>
Which one is the content word?
know is the content word. No is the function words. Function words take the smallest spelling possible.
100
It is not nice to tie Santa in a knot!
What language of origin is driving the spelling of the word <knot>?
<kn> is initial to base elements of Germanic origin.
100
Does anyone want more egg nog?
Why is <does> not spelled <*duzz>?
Because the base is <do>!
100
Four or For: Which word would you use:
Mom and Dad wrapped some presents ___ me!
for
100
It is important to love the special people in our lives, especially during the holidays.
What letter in the spelling of <love> is driven by place value?
The replaceable <e> is driven by place value. It must be there because <v> does not end a complete English word.
100
What should my twin and I make for Kwanzaa?
What letter meaning does the <tw> in twin have?
<tw> denotes two!
200
My cat gave a hiss when he thought I was taking his gift!
<his> <hiss>
Which one is 
a content word?
hiss is the content word. It can be drawn or defined. It also has a content word (lexical) spelling because the <s> is doubled.
200
In the Bible story of Christmas, the three wiseman brought baby Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh.
What language of origin is driving the spelling in of the word <Myrrh>.
Bonus 200 points if you can name them both!
The vowel <y> in the middle of <myrrh> is a sign of Greek origin.
The <rrh> trigraph is also Greek.
200
I am looking for a signal from Santa.
What word in this sentence uses the base <sign>.
Signal
200
Dear and Deer....which one flies Santa's sleigh?
Deer
200
During the holidays, I like to make many batches of cookies. What about the spelling of <batch> is constrained by place value?
tch typically follows a single letter lax vowel.
200
I'll be over here gnawing on my candy cane!
What letter meaning does the <gn> in gnaw have?
"chewing or biting"
300
Egg Nog is a delightful holiday drink!
Why does egg have two <g>'s and nog only one?
Egg is a content word and content words must have at least 3 letters. An additional <g> is added to give egg three letters. Nog does not need a double g, because it already has three letters.
300
What grapheme(s) are driven by a Greek word origin in the following word:
Christmas
The <ch> spelling /k/ in <christmas> is a sign of a Greek origin.
300
During the holidays, emotions can really fly!
Which word in this sentence has the bound base <mote>?
Bonus 100: what is the word sum?
emotions
Bonus: e + mote + ion + s
300
Stalking or Stocking....which one do you hang for Christmas?
Stocking
300
During the holidays, many people enjoy eating fudge!
What constraint on place value does a <dg(e)> have?
dg(e) can only follow a single-letter lax vowel.
It is also typically final to a base.
300
Every year we hang a Christmas wreath!
What letter meaning does the <wr> in wreath have?
< wr > has a sense of twisting.
400
I am going to keep my eye out for Santa on Christmas Eve!
<I> or <eye>
Which is the function word?
<I> is the function word. Function words take the smallest spelling possible.
400
Who is that I hear knocking on the door?
What language of origin is driving the spelling in of the word <knock>.
<kn> is initial to base elements of Germanic origin.
400
My parents said, I could open one gift each night of Hanukkah!
Which vowels in <said> mark its relationship to <say>?
The <ai> in said marks its relationship to the <ay> in say.
400
Would and Wood....which one do you burn in your fireplace?
Wood
400
When Ms. Pill tries to drink all of the egg nog, you tell her to "Buzz off, Miss Pill!"
What do the words "buzz, off, miss, pill" all have in common when it comes to place value?
The letters f, l, s, and z are all doubled at the end after a single-letter lax vowel in a content word.
400
Candy canes are traditionally a red and white candy twisted around in a cane.
What letter meaning does the <tw> in twist have?
<tw> denotes two!
500
My students are a gift that give me so much joy throughout the year!
What marks the spelling of <give> as a content word.
The <e> in <give> is needed because no complete English word ends in <v>. Only content words use replaceable <e>'s. Compare with the function word <of>.
500
Why does my mom always hide the presents high on the shelf?
The <igh> is marking which etymology in the word high?
The <igh> trigraph appears in words of Old English origin.
500
It provides so much pleasure to watch everyone open their gifts.
Which word in this sentence has the base <please>.
pleasure
500
Presents and Presence: Which one do you open as a gift?
presents
500
How does the constraint of place value determine whether to use a: c, k, or ck in the following word?
sparkle
<k> is the final letter in the base <spark>, and sparkle is in the family.
Also, <ck> only follows a single lax vowel.
500
I like my pie with lots of whipped cream!
What meaning does the <wh> in whipped have?
< wh > denotes "blowing, a blow, a brisk movement"