Understanding Blending Sounds
Blending is the process of putting individual sounds together to read a whole word. We listen to each sound and then push them smoothly into one word.
- c + a + t → cat
- m + a + p → map
- s + u + n → sun
Say each sound slowly, then say them faster until they blend into one word.
Hearing Beginning, Middle, and Ending Sounds
Words are made of sounds that come at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. Blending all parts together makes the whole word.
- d (beginning) + o (middle) + g (ending) → dog
- p (beginning) + i (middle) + n (ending) → pin
- h (beginning) + a (middle) + t (ending) → hat
Touch your finger to the left, middle, and right as you say the sounds, then slide your finger to show blending.
Using Word Families for Blending
Word families are groups of words that share the same ending sounds. Once you blend one word, you can blend others that sound the same at the end.
- at family: cat, bat, hat
- an family: man, can, fan
- op family: hop, mop, top
Blend the first sound with the word family ending to read new words quickly.
Blending Sounds in Sentences
When we blend words, we can read sentences smoothly. Putting blended words together helps us understand meaning in reading.
- The cat sat.
- Mom has a mop.
- Sam can hop.
After blending each word, read the whole sentence aloud without stopping between sounds.