Understanding the Silent K in KN Words

Scratch Garden

This engaging animated video features a character named "Happy Cheese" who guides young learners through the phonics rule of the "kn" digraph, specifically focusing on the silent "k". Through humor and visual metaphors, the video explains that when "k" and "n" appear together at the start of a word, the "k" is silent and only the "n" sound is pronounced. The video uses absurdity, such as a "ballerina vampire," to keep students entertained while reinforcing the concept. The video provides clear examples of high-frequency words that follow this rule, including "knob," "knock," "knee," and "know." It breaks down the sounds of the individual letters before showing how they interact as a pair. The lesson concludes with a humorous tongue twister visual involving a "knight in a knot with a knife" and a "knuckleball," reinforcing vocabulary through context and comedy. Teachers can use this video as a hook to introduce silent letters or as a review tool for phonics and spelling units. It effectively addresses the common mistake of pronouncing the "k" in these words. The video's interactive "quiz" element and memorable visual mnemonics make it an excellent resource for visual and auditory learners in early elementary grades.