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English · Grade 1

Sound Segmentation and Blending

Grade 1 begins by sharpening the sound skills behind reading and spelling: telling short and long vowel sounds apart, blending and segmenting spoken words of up to five sounds (including words that start or end with two consonants), and finding sounds in any position. A quick review of Kindergarten's Steps 1–5 makes sure every child can spell and read CVC words before new spellings begin.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 60 minutes
  • Sounds check: 7 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, label a picture, type a number, sort into groups and arrange tiles
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What learners will discover

  • Tell short and long vowel sounds apart in spoken one-syllable words (hat and cake, pig and kite).
  • Blend four or five spoken sounds into a word, including consonant blends (/f/ /r/ /o/ /g/ makes frog).
  • Isolate and say the first, middle (vowel) and last sound in a spoken one-syllable word.
  • Segment a spoken one-syllable word into all its sounds, and use Steps 1–5 spellings to spell and read CVC words.

Lessons

  1. Short or long vowel? 4 steps2 practiceabout 15 min
  2. Blend longer words 5 steps2 practiceabout 15 min
  3. Find the sound 4 steps2 practiceabout 14 min
  4. Segment, spell and read 5 steps3 practiceabout 16 min
  5. Sounds check 7 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Memory LanternsFlip glowing lanterns to find pairs that belong together.
  • Sound GardenListen closely and grow the garden: find the word that starts, rhymes or claps just right.
  • Word WorkshopBuild the word for each picture, one sound at a time.

More 1st grade reading

Guides for grown-ups