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Reception English · ReceptionChapter 1 · Letter sounds: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d
Reception · Chapter 1

Letter sounds: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can say the sound for s, a, t, p, i, n, m and d
  • I can find the picture whose name starts with the sound I need
  • I can find the letter for the first sound of a picture
  • I can blend the sounds to read a short word
  • I can write the letters of a short word in order

You should already know

  • Knowing the names of some letters
  • Counting and naming pictures at home or nursery

Where this leads

  • Letter sounds: g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r (Chapter 2)

Early Years Foundation Stage for England, English. Content: Say the sound for each letter s, a, t, p, i, n, m and d, Match a letter to a picture by its first sound, Find the sound in the middle and at the end of a short word, Blend the sounds of a short word to find the picture, Write the letters of a short word in order, one sound at a time.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich letter comes after b in the alphabet?
2
FWhich letter comes first in the alphabet: a, t or p?
3
FHow many letters are in the word cat?
4
FWhich letter comes right after a in the alphabet?
5
FWhich word starts with the same letter as dog: dig or cat?
1.1

The sounds of s and a

Reception
Say the sound for s and a, Match a letter to its picture by the first sound
Video lesson: The sounds of s and aComing soon

Sam and Priya are learning letters. Each letter has a sound. The sound is what the letter says.

This book cannot play sounds. A grown-up says each sound and each picture name out loud. Every question can be checked by looking at the picture, the written word or the letters.

The order of letters follows the first groups of the Letters and Sounds programme, phases 2 and 3 (Department for Education). Learn one group at a time.

Sam has a big yellow sun in his book. The word sun starts with the letter s. The letter s makes the sound /s/, like a snake hissing.

The letter a makes the sound /a/, as in ant.


sun
ant
The first letter of each name gives its first sound.

Key ideas

  • The letter s makes the sound /s/, as in sun.
  • The letter a makes the sound /a/, as in ant.
  • The first letter of a picture name tells you its first sound.
  • The page cannot play sounds: check the picture and the letters.
Worked example 1.1.1
Which picture starts with the sound /s/?

tin
sun
ant

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the sound /s/.

  1. Look at the start of each name. The first letter, or first letters, give the first sound. A grown-up can read each name aloud.
    tin starts with t · sun starts with s · ant starts with a
  2. Find the sound /s/. Only one name starts with this sound.
    /s/ is at the start of sun.
  3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
    sun

Check. Say sun slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /s/. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of the name, not at the end or the middle.

Worked example 1.1.2
Which letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose a, s, t.

ant

Method. Say the name of the picture. Then find the letter that makes its first sound.

  1. Read the name. Read every letter in the name.
    ant
  2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
    The first sound is /a/.
  3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from a, s, t.
    a

Check. The word ant starts with a. ✓

Watch out. Some letters make a different sound in other words. Check the start of this word only.

Worked example 1.1.3
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

sad

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    sad
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    s - a - d
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    s-a-d

Check. Read the letters back: s-a-d. They spell sad. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Watch out

Watch out: sun has a u in the middle, but the first sound is /s/. When you match a first sound, look only at the first letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the sounds, not the letter names. Say “sss” for s, and “a” as in ant. Point to the letter, then to the picture, and read the name out loud.

Exercise 1A  Sounds of s and a

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /s/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

tin
sun
ant
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /s/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

pan
dad
sad
3
FWhich picture starts with the sound /a/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

ant
sun
tin
4
FWhich letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose s, a or t.

sun
5
FWhich letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose a, t or p.

ant
6
FWhich letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose s, m or d.

sad
7
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

sad
8
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

ant
9
FWhich picture does not start with the same sound as the others? Write its name.

sun
sad
ant
10
PSSam has a sun, a sad face and an ant in his picture. Write the two picture names that start with s.

sun
ant
sad
11
PSWrite the first letter of each picture name.

sun
ant
sad
(a)sun
(b)ant
(c)sad
12
RBen says ant starts with s. Is he right? Explain how you know.

ant
1.2

The sounds of t and p

Reception
Say the sound for t and p, Find the picture for a first sound
Video lesson: The sounds of t and pComing soon

Mia has a metal tin on the table. The word tin starts with the letter t.

The letter t makes the sound /t/, as in tin.

Next to the tin is a pan. It starts with the letter p. The letter p makes the sound /p/, as in pan.


tin
pan
tap
Each name starts with the sound that matches its first letter.

Key ideas

  • The letter t makes the sound /t/, as in tin.
  • The letter p makes the sound /p/, as in pan.
  • Say /t/ and /p/ as short sounds. Do not add an “uh” after them.
Worked example 1.2.1
Which picture starts with the sound /p/?

ant
pan
tin

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the sound /p/.

  1. Look at the start of each name. The first letter, or first letters, give the first sound. A grown-up can read each name aloud.
    ant starts with a · pan starts with p · tin starts with t
  2. Find the sound /p/. Only one name starts with this sound.
    /p/ is at the start of pan.
  3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
    pan

Check. Say pan slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /p/. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of the name, not at the end or the middle.

Worked example 1.2.2
Which letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose t, p, a.

tap

Method. Say the name of the picture. Then find the letter that makes its first sound.

  1. Read the name. Read every letter in the name.
    tap
  2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
    The first sound is /t/.
  3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from t, p, a.
    t

Check. The word tap starts with t. ✓

Watch out. Some letters make a different sound in other words. Check the start of this word only.

Worked example 1.2.3
Blend the sounds t - a - p. Tap the picture of the word.

tap
pan
sad

Method. Read the parts in order. Then say the sounds together, faster and faster, to make the word.

  1. Read each part, one at a time. Each part makes one sound. Read them from left to right.
    t - a - p
  2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
    /t/ /a/ /p/
  3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
    /t/ /a/ /p/ = tap

Check. Check the picture of a tap. The picture matches the word. ✓

Watch out. Do not say each sound as a separate word. Join them together.

Watch out

Watch out: tap starts with t but ends with p. Look at the first letter to find the first sound.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say /t/ and /p/ quickly, with no extra sound. Say “t” not “tuh”, and “p” not “puh”.

Exercise 1B  Sounds of t and p

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /t/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

tin
pan
sun
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /p/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

tin
ant
pan
3
FWhich picture starts with the sound /p/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

sad
pin
tap
4
FWhich letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose t, p or a.

tap
5
FWhich letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose p, n or s.

pan
6
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

tap
7
FBlend the sounds t - a - p. Tap the picture of the word.

pin
sad
tap
8
FWhich picture does not start with the same sound as the others? Write its name.

pan
pin
tin
9
FWhich picture does not start with the same sound as the others? Write its name.

tap
tin
pan
10
FWrite the first letter of each picture name.

tap
pan
ant
(a)tap
(b)pan
(c)ant
11
PSPriya has a tin and a pan. Write the picture name that starts with p.

tin
pan
12
PSTom wants a word that starts with t and has a in the middle. Which picture is it: tap, tin or pan?

tap
tin
pan
13
RSam says the word pan starts with p, and the word tap ends with p. Is Sam right about both? Explain.

pan
tap
1.3

The sounds of i and n

Reception
Say the sound for i and n, Find the sound in the middle of a short word
Video lesson: The sounds of i and nComing soon

Nat has a little pin. The word pin has an i in the middle. The letter i makes the sound /i/, as in pin.

Nat has a nest too. The word nest starts with the letter n. The letter n makes the sound /n/.


pin
nest
The middle letter of pin is i. The first letter of nest is n.

Key ideas

  • The letter i makes the sound /i/, as in pin.
  • The letter n makes the sound /n/, as in nest.
  • A sound can be at the start, in the middle or at the end of a word.
Worked example 1.3.1
Which picture starts with the sound /n/?

nest
dad
tin

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the sound /n/.

  1. Look at the start of each name. The first letter, or first letters, give the first sound. A grown-up can read each name aloud.
    nest starts with n · dad starts with d · tin starts with t
  2. Find the sound /n/. Only one name starts with this sound.
    /n/ is at the start of nest.
  3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
    nest

Check. Say nest slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /n/. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of the name, not at the end or the middle.

Worked example 1.3.2
In the word pin, which letter is in the middle?

pin

Method. The middle sound comes after the first sound and before the last sound.

  1. Say the word slowly, sound by sound. Each letter makes one sound here.
    p-i-n
  2. Find the sound that is not first or last. The middle one sits between the other two.
    The middle letter is i.
  3. Write the answer. Write the letter for the middle sound.
    i

Check. Say the word again: p-i-n. The middle sound is i. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick the first or last letter. Look between them.

Worked example 1.3.3
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

tin

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    tin
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    t - i - n
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    t-i-n

Check. Read the letters back: t-i-n. They spell tin. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Watch out

Watch out: pin ends with n, but the middle letter is i. Say the sounds in order: p - i - n.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say /i/ as in “it”, not as in “ice”. Say /n/ with your mouth closed and a hum.

Exercise 1C  Sounds of i and n

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /n/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

nest
dad
tin
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /t/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

dad
tin
nest
3
FWhich letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose n, m or d.

nest
4
FWhich letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose t, p or n.

tin
5
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

pin
6
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

tin
7
FBlend the sounds p - i - n. Tap the picture of the word.

pin
tap
dad
8
FWhich picture does not start with the same sound as the others? Write its name.

pin
pan
nest
9
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word tin?

tin
10
FWhich picture has the sound /i/ in the middle? Tap the picture: tap, tin or pan.

tap
tin
pan
11
PSNat has a pin and a nest. Write the picture name that starts with n.

pin
nest
12
FWrite the letter that makes the middle sound of pin.

pin
13
RBen says the word pin has an n in the middle. Is Ben right? Explain.

pin
14
PSWrite the letters of the word nap, one box at a time, in order.
15
RSam says the word nest starts with the same sound as the word sun. Is Sam right? Explain.

nest
sun
1.4

The sounds of m and d

Reception
Say the sound for m and d, Choose the picture for a first sound
Video lesson: The sounds of m and dComing soon

Mum has a map. The word map starts with the letter m. The letter m makes the sound /m/, like humming.

Dad has a mat too. Dad has a dad picture as well. The letter d makes the sound /d/, as in dad.


mum
map
dad
The letter m starts mum and map. The letter d starts dad.

Key ideas

  • The letter m makes the sound /m/, as in map.
  • The letter d makes the sound /d/, as in dad.
  • Say /m/ and /d/ as short sounds, with no “uh” after them.
Worked example 1.4.1
Which picture starts with the sound /d/?

sun
dad
map

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the sound /d/.

  1. Look at the start of each name. The first letter, or first letters, give the first sound. A grown-up can read each name aloud.
    sun starts with s · dad starts with d · map starts with m
  2. Find the sound /d/. Only one name starts with this sound.
    /d/ is at the start of dad.
  3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
    dad

Check. Say dad slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /d/. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of the name, not at the end or the middle.

Worked example 1.4.2
Which letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose m, d, p.

map

Method. Say the name of the picture. Then find the letter that makes its first sound.

  1. Read the name. Read every letter in the name.
    map
  2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
    The first sound is /m/.
  3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from m, d, p.
    m

Check. The word map starts with m. ✓

Watch out. Some letters make a different sound in other words. Check the start of this word only.

Worked example 1.4.3
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

map

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    map
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    m - a - p
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    m-a-p

Check. Read the letters back: m-a-p. They spell map. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Watch out

Watch out: dad and mum both have a letter that is the same as the first letter. Look at the first letter only.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say /m/ with your lips closed and humming. Say /d/ with a short tap of the tongue.

Exercise 1D  Sounds of m and d

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /m/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

dad
tin
mum
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /d/? Tap the picture. A grown-up can read each name aloud.

dad
mat
sun
3
FWhich letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose m, d or t.

mat
4
FWhich letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose d, s or n.

dad
5
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

mat
6
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

dad
7
FBlend the sounds d - a - d. Tap the picture of the word.

dad
map
pin
8
FWhich picture does not start with the same sound as the others? Write its name.

map
mat
dad
9
FWrite the first letter of each picture name.

mum
dad
map
(a)mum
(b)dad
(c)map
10
PSWhich picture starts with m and ends with t? Tap the picture: mum, map or mat.

mum
map
mat
11
FDad has a map. Write the letter that starts the word map.

map
12
FWrite the letter that makes the middle sound of mat.

mat
13
FWrite the picture name that starts with d.

map
mat
dad
14
PSWrite two words from this section that start with d. Use only the letters in this chapter.
15
RRavi says mum and mat start with the same letter. Is he right? Explain.

mum
mat
16
PSWrite the letters of the word mad, one box at a time, in order.
17
RDad says the word map ends with d. Is Dad right? Explain.

map
1.5

Letters in words

Reception
Use the letters s, a, t, p, i, n, m and d in short words
Video lesson: Letters in wordsComing soon

Now you know eight letters: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d. You can use them to make short words.

Look at each letter in the word. Say its sound. Then join the sounds together.

Mia writes the letters of tap: t - a - p. She reads the sounds, and then the word.

tap
Each box is one letter, and each letter makes one sound.

Key ideas

  • Each letter in a short word makes one sound.
  • Join the sounds together to read the word.
  • Write the letters in the same order as the sounds.
Worked example 1.5.1
Blend the sounds p - i - n. Tap the picture of the word.

pin
tap
mat

Method. Read the parts in order. Then say the sounds together, faster and faster, to make the word.

  1. Read each part, one at a time. Each part makes one sound. Read them from left to right.
    p - i - n
  2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
    /p/ /i/ /n/
  3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
    /p/ /i/ /n/ = pin

Check. Check the picture of a pin. The picture matches the word. ✓

Watch out. Do not say each sound as a separate word. Join them together.

Worked example 1.5.2
Say the sounds n - a - p. Write the letters of the word, one box at a time, in order.

Method. Say the word, sound by sound. Then write one letter, or one group of letters, in each box.

  1. Say the name of the picture. A grown-up says the word slowly.
    nap
  2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
    n - a - p
  3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
    n-a-p

Check. Read the letters back: n-a-p. They spell nap. ✓

Watch out. Write the sounds from left to right, and leave no box out.

Worked example 1.5.3
Which word is written with these letters: m - a - t?

mat
map
pan

Method. Read the parts in order. Then say the sounds together, faster and faster, to make the word.

  1. Read each part, one at a time. Each part makes one sound. Read them from left to right.
    m - a - t
  2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
    /m/ /a/ /t/
  3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
    /m/ /a/ /t/ = mat

Check. Check the picture of a mat. The picture matches the word. ✓

Watch out. Do not say each sound as a separate word. Join them together.

Watch out

Watch out: a word can have the same letter twice, like dad. Write every letter in the word, in order.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Point to each letter as the child says its sound. Then say the whole word together.

Exercise 1E  Words from the letters

1
FBlend the sounds t - a - p. Tap the picture of the word.

sad
tap
pan
2
FBlend the sounds m - a - t. Tap the picture of the word.

mat
sad
pin
3
PSBlend the sounds p - a - n. Tap the picture of the word.

tin
map
pan
4
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

map
5
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

tin
6
FLook at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

dad
7
FWhich picture does not start with the same sound as the others? Write its name.

tap
tin
nest
8
FWrite the word made by the letters s - a - d.

sad
9
FWrite the word made by the letters p - i - n.

pin
10
PSWrite the letters of the word sat, one box at a time, in order.
11
PSMake a word from the letters m - a - n. Write the word.
12
PSWhich word has the letters t - i - n in order? Tap the picture: tin, tap or pan.

tin
tap
pan
13
PSTom writes the letters p - a - t. Which word did he write?
14
RWrite two different words that use the letters a, t and p. Use each letter once.
15
RBen says the word man has the same sounds as the word nam. Is he right? Explain.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
The sound for sHiss like a snake: /s/, as in sun
The sound for aSay /a/ as in ant
The sound for t and pShort sounds: /t/ as in tin, /p/ as in pan
The sound for i and n/i/ as in pin (middle), /n/ as in nest
The sound for m and d/m/ as in map, /d/ as in dad
Finding a first soundLook at the first letter of the picture name
BlendingJoin the sounds of the letters in order
SpellingWrite one letter for each sound, in order

Can you…?

  • I can say the sound for s, a, t, p, i, n, m and d
  • I can find the picture whose name starts with a sound
  • I can find the letter for the first sound of a picture
  • I can find the middle sound of a short word
  • I can blend the sounds of a short word
  • I can write the letters of a short word in order

Key terms

sound
what a letter says, for example /s/ in sun
letter
a written mark, such as s or a
first sound
the sound at the start of a word
blend
join the sounds together to make a word
middle sound
the sound between the first and last sounds
word
letters that make a name or a thing, such as tin

Exercise 1Z  Check-up

1
Which picture starts with the sound /s/? Tap the picture.

tin
sun
ant
2
Which letter makes the first sound of this picture? Choose t, p or a.

tin
3
Which picture starts with the sound /m/? Tap the picture.

pan
mat
dad
4
Look at the picture. Write the letters for its name, one box at a time, in order.

dad
5
Blend the sounds m - a - p. Tap the picture of the word.

pan
map
pin
6
Which letter is in the middle of the word pin?

pin
7
Which picture does not start with the same sound as the others? Write its name.

tap
tin
nest
8
Write the first letter of the picture name sad.

sad
9
Which word starts with m and ends with p? Tap the picture: mum, map or mat.

mum
map
mat
10
Explain how you know the first sound of the word nest. Use the words “first letter”.

nest

Total 17 marks. Allow about 17 minutes.

Exercise 1X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /d/? Tap the picture.[1 mark]

sun
dad
tap
2
FWhich letter makes the first sound of sun?[1 mark]

sun
3
FWrite the letters of the word tan, one box at a time, in order.[1 mark]
4
FBlend the sounds p - i - n. Tap the picture of the word.[1 mark]

tin
pin
tap
5
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word mat?[1 mark]

mat
6
FWhich picture starts with the sound /a/? Tap the picture: sad, ant or pan.[1 mark]

sad
ant
pan
7
FWrite the first letter of the picture name nest.[1 mark]

nest
8
FWrite the letters of the word map, one box at a time, in order.[2 marks]
9
PSTap the picture of the word made from the sounds m - a - t: mat, map or pan.[2 marks]

mat
map
pan
10
RTom says the word tip is made of the letters t - i - p. Is he right? Explain.[3 marks]
11
PSWrite two words that start with the same sound as sun. Use only the letters in this chapter.[3 marks]
Chapter 2: Letter sounds: g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r →

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