Rabbit Rule Phonics Worksheet
Rabbit Rule Detective
Medial Consonant Doubling Checklist
Name:
Date:
The Rabbit Rule When do we double the middle consonant?
Test All 3 Clues
1
2 Syllables
Clap the beats (rab • bit)
2
Short 1st Vowel
First vowel makes a short sound
3
1 Middle Sound
Only ONE consonant sound heard
All 3 clues YES → Double the letter (e.g., rabbit)
Any clue NO → Do not double (e.g., basket)
A
Rabbit Rule Detective Table
Say each word aloud. Check (✓) if YES or mark (✗) if NO for each clue, then spell the word.
Spoken Word Clue
Clue 1: 2 Beats?
Clue 2: Short 1st Vowel?
Clue 3: 1 Middle Sound?
Correct Spelling
Model muf • in
✓ Yes (2)
✓ Yes (/u/)
✓ Yes (/f/)
muffin
1. rab • it
2. bas • ket
3. kit • en
4. nap • kin
5. pup • y
6. den • tist
7. sum • er
8. cac • tus
9. traf • ic
10. hel • met
Detective Tip for Clue 3: Listen closely to the sounds between the vowels. If you hear two different consonant sounds (like /s/ and /k/ in basket, or /l/ and /m/ in helmet), Clue 3 is NO, so you do NOT double!
Orton-Gillingham Phonics Mastery Series • Rabbit Doubling Rule
Score / Teacher Check: ______ / 10