First grade word detectives have been studying words with CVCe patterns for the last few weeks. Using “just right” books as a resource, children have collected words that prove the theory that a silent “e” at the end of a word can make the vowel say its name. During the investigation, many children wondered, “What happens if the vowel being manipulated by a silent “e” is, itself, an “e”? Teachers rallied their first grade detectives to try and figure out how these words are spelled, if not with a silent “e.” We introduced the concept of vowel teams ee and ea and a whole new investigation was underway!