Last week I had the privilege of working with a small group of first graders who need help with basic phonics skills. Their teacher is teaching beginning blends to the class, but these children needed extra, focused help in a small group.
I gave each of them a phonemic awareness assessment (the one included in my online course, Teaching Every Reader), and I learned that they struggle with hearing beginning blends.
I decided to create a simple, self-checking printable to help them stretch and spell words with beginning blends. This would require them to listen for the beginning blends in order to spell the words correctly.
Watch the video below to learn how it works.
As you saw in the video, the printable needs to be printed front to back. After that, preparation is quick and simple.
Simply fold on the solid line and cut up on the dotted lines.
Your learner can say the picture’s name, flip it up to check the spelling, and write the correct spelling again (or, if incorrect, copy the correct spelling) on the bottom line.
Teaching tips
- Some students will want to cheat and look at the word before writing it. Remind them that it’s okay to spell the word wrong; part of the fun is seeing if they can get it right without peeking. With one student, I had to sit right next to her and hold the picture down so she wouldn’t peek.
- Let your learners know that every word has four letters. This will encourage them to streeetch out the word and listen for that second letter, which is always the tricky one.
- Make sure your students do not erase the incorrect spelling at the top. You want to see how they spelled the word first so you know how to tailor future instruction.
Looking for more hands-on ways to practice reading words with blends?
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Midori Kosaka
Thank you for this! my daughter loved it 🙂 and she has actually asked for more. She said it was fun…. looking forward to a new set.
Anna G
You’re very welcome, Midori!
Nathalie
What an awesome learning resources for kids that need further understanding for beginning blends and your effort in making these. I hope you have one for pre-k and kindergarten. Thank you for sharing!
Anna G
Do you have any ideas for what that would like look?
ROSA
I admire your effort in every job you provide to help our students.
Sincerely: Mrs. Rose P.K. & Kindergarten Teacher
Anna G
Thank you, Rosa!
D. Gibson
I just wanted to write and say “Thank You” for all you do. Your freebies prove that you really want to help others and not only make a profit. I truly appreciate the generous nature in which you share your material.
D
Anna G
Thank you for your kind words!
Tamara
Awesome! If you have a set for PreK learners – even better! Please share soon!! Thank you!
Anna G
Do you have any ideas for what that would like look?