Letter sounds: g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r

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

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.
   egg starts with e · sun starts with s · kite starts with k
2. Find the sound /k/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /k/ is at the start of kite.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   kite

Check. Say kite slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /k/. ✓

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

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

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.
   cup starts with c · dog starts with d · egg starts with e
2. Find the sound /k/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /k/ is at the start of cup.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   cup

Check. Say cup slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /k/. ✓

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

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.
   cup
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /c/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from c, d, u.
   c

Check. The word cup starts with c. ✓

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

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.
   kite
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /k/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from k, g, e.
   k

Check. The word kite starts with k. ✓

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

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.
   cat
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /c/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from c, a, t.
   c

Check. The word cat starts with c. ✓

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

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.
   cup
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   c - u - p
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   c-u-p

Check. Read the letters back: c-u-p. They spell cup. ✓

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

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.
   kit
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   k - i - t
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   k-i-t

Check. Read the letters back: k-i-t. They spell kit. ✓

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

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.
   c - a - t
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /k/ /a/ /t/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /k/ /a/ /t/ = cat

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

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

Method. Look at the start of each name. One of them starts with a different sound.

1. Look at the first letter of each name. Read the names as a grown-up points to them.
   kite: k · cat: c · egg: e
2. Find the one that is different. The other names all start with /k/.
   egg is different.
3. Write the answer. Say what the odd one starts with.
   egg (starts with e)

Check. The other pictures start with /k/, so egg is the odd one. ✓

Watch out. Find the sound that most names share first. The odd one is the name that does not match.

Method. Say the first sound of each name.

1. Look at cat. cat starts with the sound /k/.
   cat: /k/
2. Look at kite and egg. kite starts with /k/. egg starts with /e/.
   kite: /k/; egg: /e/
3. Write the two names.
   cat and kite

Check. Cat and kite both start with /k/. Egg does not. ✓

Watch out. Compare the sounds, not the letters.

Method. Look at the first letter of each word.

1. Look at kite. The first letter is k.
   kite: k
2. Look at cat. The first letter is c.
   cat: c
3. Give your answer. Say what is the same and what is different.
   Accept any answer that says no: kite starts with k and cat starts with c. Both make /k/, but the letters are different.

Check. Both sounds are /k/, but the letters are not the same. ✓

Watch out. Two different letters can make the same sound.

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.
   duck
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   d - u - ck
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   d-u-ck

Check. Read the letters back: d-u-ck. They spell duck. ✓

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

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.
   sock
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   s - o - ck
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   s-o-ck

Check. Read the letters back: s-o-ck. They spell sock. ✓

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

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.
   d - u - ck
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /d/ /u/ /k/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /d/ /u/ /k/ = duck

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

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

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.
   s - o - ck
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /s/ /o/ /k/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /s/ /o/ /k/ = sock

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

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

Method. Say the word, sound by sound.

1. Say duck. Each sound is one box.
   d - u - ck
2. Find the last sound. The last sound is /k/.
   last sound: /k/
3. Write the letters. Two letters make this sound.
   ck

Check. The ending ck makes one sound, /k/. ✓

Watch out. Write both letters together.

Method. Look at the end of each name.

1. Look at cat. cat ends with t.
   cat: t
2. Look at duck. duck ends with ck.
   duck: ck
3. Look at egg. egg ends with gg.
   egg: gg
4. Write the answer.
   duck

Check. Only duck ends with ck. ✓

Watch out. Look at the last letters of the word.

Method. Say the word, one sound at a time. ck is one sound.

1. Say the sounds. Each box is one sound.
   d - u - ck
2. Count the sounds. Do not count c and k as two sounds.
   d, u, ck
3. Write the answer.
   3 sounds.

Check. Count the sounds again: d, u, ck. There are 3. ✓

Watch out. Count the sounds, not the letters.

Method. Look at the end of each name.

1. Look at duck and sock. Both end with ck.
   duck: ck; sock: ck
2. Look at cup. cup ends with p, not ck.
   cup: p
3. Write the answer.
   cup

Check. Only cup does not end with ck. ✓

Watch out. Check the last letters of each word.

Method. Choose one of the two words that end with ck.

1. Look at the pictures. Both words end with ck.
   duck, sock
2. Choose one word. Write the whole word.
   duck
3. Write the answer.
   duck or sock

Check. Each word ends with ck. ✓

Watch out. Write both letters of ck together.

Method. Think of a short word with a vowel, then add ck at the end.

1. Think of a short word. Use one vowel, like u or o.
   r - o - ck
2. Add ck to the end. ck is one sound at the end.
   rock
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any word that ends with ck and uses this chapter letters, such as rock or deck.

Check. The word ends with ck, one sound. ✓

Watch out. Use ck, not c and k, at the end.

Method. Count the sounds, not the letters.

1. Say the sounds. Each sound is one part of the word.
   s - o - ck
2. Count the sounds. ck is one sound, even with two letters.
   s, o, ck
3. Give your answer. Say why Tom is right.
   Accept any answer that says yes: s, o and ck are three sounds, because ck is one sound.

Check. Three sounds: s, o and ck. ✓

Watch out. Counting sounds is different from counting letters.

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

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.
   mat starts with m · goat starts with g · cup starts with c
2. Find the sound /g/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /g/ is at the start of goat.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   goat

Check. Say goat slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /g/. ✓

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

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

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.
   orange starts with o · dog starts with d · pen starts with p
2. Find the sound /o/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /o/ is at the start of orange.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   orange

Check. Say orange slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /o/. ✓

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

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.
   goat
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /g/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from g, o, c.
   g

Check. The word goat starts with g. ✓

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

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.
   orange
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /o/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from o, a, e.
   o

Check. The word orange starts with o. ✓

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

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.
   dog
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   d - o - g
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   d-o-g

Check. Read the letters back: d-o-g. They spell dog. ✓

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

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.
   mop
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   m - o - p
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   m-o-p

Check. Read the letters back: m-o-p. They spell mop. ✓

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

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 - g
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /p/ /i/ /g/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /p/ /i/ /g/ = pig

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

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

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.
   d-o-g
2. Find the sound that is not first or last. The middle one sits between the other two.
   The middle letter is o.
3. Write the answer. Write the letter for the middle sound.
   o

Check. Say the word again: d-o-g. The middle sound is o. ✓

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

Method. Find the middle sound of each name.

1. Look at sock. The middle sound is /o/.
   s - o - ck
2. Look at pig. The middle sound is /i/.
   p - i - g
3. Look at cat. The middle sound is /a/.
   c - a - t
4. Write the answer.
   sock

Check. Only sock has the /o/ sound in the middle. ✓

Watch out. Look between the first and last sound.

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

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.
   goat starts with g · dog starts with d · egg starts with e
2. Find the sound /g/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /g/ is at the start of goat.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   goat

Check. Say goat slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /g/. ✓

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

Method. Look at the last letter of each word.

1. Look at dog. The last letter is g.
   dog: g
2. Look at goat. The last letter is t.
   goat: t
3. Give your answer. Say which words end with g.
   Accept any answer that says no: dog ends with g, but goat ends with t.

Check. Dog ends with g. Goat ends with t. ✓

Watch out. Say the word slowly to find the last letter.

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.
   got
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   g - o - t
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   g-o-t

Check. Read the letters back: g-o-t. They spell got. ✓

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

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.
   d - o - g
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /d/ /o/ /g/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /d/ /o/ /g/ = dog

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

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

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

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.
   orange starts with o · goat starts with g · umbrella starts with u
2. Find the sound /g/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /g/ is at the start of goat.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   goat

Check. Say goat slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /g/. ✓

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

Method. Check the first and last letters of each name.

1. Look at dog. dog starts with d, not o.
   dog: d ... g
2. Look at orange. orange starts with o and ends with e.
   orange: o ... e
3. Look at goat. goat starts with g, not o.
   goat: g ... t
4. Write the answer.
   orange

Check. Only orange starts with o and ends with e. ✓

Watch out. Check both the first and last letters before you choose.

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

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.
   kite starts with k · egg starts with e · sun starts with s
2. Find the sound /e/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /e/ is at the start of egg.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   egg

Check. Say egg slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /e/. ✓

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

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

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.
   egg starts with e · cat starts with c · umbrella starts with u
2. Find the sound /u/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /u/ is at the start of umbrella.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   umbrella

Check. Say umbrella slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /u/. ✓

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

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.
   egg
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /e/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from e, a, o.
   e

Check. The word egg starts with e. ✓

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

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.
   umbrella
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /u/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from u, e, a.
   u

Check. The word umbrella starts with u. ✓

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

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.
   pen
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   p - e - n
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   p-e-n

Check. Read the letters back: p-e-n. They spell pen. ✓

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

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.
   sun
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   s - u - n
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   s-u-n

Check. Read the letters back: s-u-n. They spell sun. ✓

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

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.
   s - u - n
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /s/ /u/ /n/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /s/ /u/ /n/ = sun

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

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

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.
   n - e - s - t
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /n/ /e/ /s/ /t/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /n/ /e/ /s/ /t/ = nest

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

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

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.
   c-u-p
2. Find the sound that is not first or last. The middle one sits between the other two.
   The middle letter is u.
3. Write the answer. Write the letter for the middle sound.
   u

Check. Say the word again: c-u-p. The middle sound is u. ✓

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

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-e-n
2. Find the sound that is not first or last. The middle one sits between the other two.
   The middle letter is e.
3. Write the answer. Write the letter for the middle sound.
   e

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

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

Method. Find the middle letter of each name.

1. Look at sun. The middle letter is u.
   s - u - n
2. Look at cup. The middle letter is u.
   c - u - p
3. Look at pen. The middle letter is e.
   p - e - n
4. Write the answer.
   pen

Check. Only pen has e in the middle. ✓

Watch out. Find the letter between the first and last letters.

Method. Check the first letter and the middle letter of each name.

1. Look at sun. It starts with s and has u in the middle.
   s - u - n
2. Look at egg. It starts with e, not s.
   e - gg
3. Look at cup. It starts with c, not s.
   c - u - p
4. Write the answer.
   sun

Check. Only sun has both clues. ✓

Watch out. Check both clues before you choose.

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 - e - n
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /p/ /e/ /n/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /p/ /e/ /n/ = pen

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

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

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.
   net
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   n - e - t
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   n-e-t

Check. Read the letters back: n-e-t. They spell net. ✓

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

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.
   c - u - t
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /k/ /u/ /t/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /k/ /u/ /t/ = cut

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

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

Method. Find the middle sound of each word.

1. Look at pen. The middle letter is e.
   p - e - n
2. Look at cup. The middle letter is u.
   c - u - p
3. Give your answer. Say whether the middle sounds are the same.
   Accept any answer that says no: the middle sound of pen is e, and the middle sound of cup is u.

Check. e and u are different sounds. ✓

Watch out. Say each word slowly to find the middle.

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

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.
   cup starts with c · kite starts with k · rat starts with r
2. Find the sound /r/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /r/ is at the start of rat.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   rat

Check. Say rat slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /r/. ✓

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

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

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.
   rug starts with r · goat starts with g · pig starts with p
2. Find the sound /r/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /r/ is at the start of rug.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   rug

Check. Say rug slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /r/. ✓

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

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.
   rug
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /r/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from r, u, g.
   r

Check. The word rug starts with r. ✓

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

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.
   cat
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /c/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from c, t, r.
   c

Check. The word cat starts with c. ✓

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

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.
   rat
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   r - a - t
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   r-a-t

Check. Read the letters back: r-a-t. They spell rat. ✓

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

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.
   rug
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   r - u - g
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   r-u-g

Check. Read the letters back: r-u-g. They spell rug. ✓

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

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.
   r - u - g
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /r/ /u/ /g/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /r/ /u/ /g/ = rug

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

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

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.
   s - o - ck
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /s/ /o/ /k/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /s/ /o/ /k/ = sock

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

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

Method. Look at the start of each name. One of them starts with a different sound.

1. Look at the first letter of each name. Read the names as a grown-up points to them.
   rat: r · rug: r · sun: s
2. Find the one that is different. The other names all start with r.
   sun is different.
3. Write the answer. Say what the odd one starts with.
   sun (starts with s)

Check. The other pictures start with r, so sun is the odd one. ✓

Watch out. Find the sound that most names share first. The odd one is the name that does not match.

Method. Look at the last letters of each name.

1. Look at rug. rug ends with g.
   rug: g
2. Look at duck. duck ends with ck.
   duck: ck
3. Write the answer.
   duck

Check. Only duck ends with ck. ✓

Watch out. Check the last letters, not the first.

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.
   rug
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   r - u - g
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   r-u-g

Check. Read the letters back: r-u-g. They spell rug. ✓

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

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.
   r - a - t
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /r/ /a/ /t/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /r/ /a/ /t/ = rat

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

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

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.
   r - e - d
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /r/ /e/ /d/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /r/ /e/ /d/ = red

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

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

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.
   c - u - p
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /k/ /u/ /p/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /k/ /u/ /p/ = cup

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

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

Method. Look at the last letter of each word.

1. Look at rat. The last letter is t.
   rat: t
2. Look at rug. The last letter is g.
   rug: g
3. Give your answer. Say whether the last letters match.
   Accept any answer that says no: rat ends with t, and rug ends with g.

Check. t and g are different letters. ✓

Watch out. Say each word and find the last letter.

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

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 · kite starts with k · dog starts with d
2. Find the sound /k/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /k/ is at the start of kite.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   kite

Check. Say kite slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /k/. ✓

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

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.
   goat
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /g/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from c, g, e.
   g

Check. The word goat starts with g. ✓

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

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.
   duck
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   d - u - ck
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   d-u-ck

Check. Read the letters back: d-u-ck. They spell duck. ✓

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

Method. Say the word sound by sound.

1. Say sock. Each sound is one box.
   s - o - ck
2. Find the last sound. The last sound is /k/, and it is written ck.
   last sound: /k/
3. Write the letters.
   ck

Check. ck makes one sound at the end. ✓

Watch out. Write both letters together.

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.
   c - a - t
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /k/ /a/ /t/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /k/ /a/ /t/ = cat

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

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

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.
   d-o-g
2. Find the sound that is not first or last. The middle one sits between the other two.
   The middle letter is o.
3. Write the answer. Write the letter for the middle sound.
   o

Check. Say the word again: d-o-g. The middle sound is o. ✓

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

Method. Look at the start of each name. One of them starts with a different sound.

1. Look at the first letter of each name. Read the names as a grown-up points to them.
   kite: k · cat: c · egg: e
2. Find the one that is different. The other names all start with /k/.
   egg is different.
3. Write the answer. Say what the odd one starts with.
   egg (starts with e)

Check. The other pictures start with /k/, so egg is the odd one. ✓

Watch out. Find the sound that most names share first. The odd one is the name that does not match.

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.
   umbrella
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /u/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from u, e, a.
   u

Check. The word umbrella starts with u. ✓

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

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

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.
   rug starts with r · egg starts with e · pig starts with p
2. Find the sound /r/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /r/ is at the start of rug.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   rug

Check. Say rug slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /r/. ✓

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

Method. Say the sounds, then count them.

1. Say duck. Say each sound in order.
   d - u - ck
2. Count the sounds. ck is one sound.
   d, u, ck
3. Give your answer. Use the words one sound.
   Accept any answer that says d, u and ck are three sounds, because ck is one sound.

Check. Three sounds: d, u and ck. ✓

Watch out. Two letters can make one sound.

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

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.
   umbrella starts with u · goat starts with g · rat starts with r
2. Find the sound /u/. Only one name starts with this sound.
   /u/ is at the start of umbrella.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   umbrella

Check. Say umbrella slowly, sound by sound. It starts with /u/. ✓

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

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.
   rat
2. Find the first sound. The first letter tells the first sound.
   The first sound is /r/.
3. Choose the letter for that sound. Choose from r, t, a.
   r

Check. The word rat starts with r. ✓

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

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.
   sock
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   s - o - ck
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   s-o-ck

Check. Read the letters back: s-o-ck. They spell sock. ✓

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

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.
   c-u-p
2. Find the sound that is not first or last. The middle one sits between the other two.
   The middle letter is u.
3. Write the answer. Write the letter for the middle sound.
   u

Check. Say the word again: c-u-p. The middle sound is u. ✓

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

Method. Check each name for the sounds in order.

1. Check dog. dog has d, then o, then g.
   d - o - g
2. Check cat and pig. cat has c, a, t. pig has p, i, g.
   cat: c-a-t; pig: p-i-g
3. Write the answer.
   dog

Check. Only dog has the sounds d, o, g in order. ✓

Watch out. Check the order of the sounds.

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.
   r - u - g
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /r/ /u/ /g/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /r/ /u/ /g/ = rug

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

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

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.
   cat
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   c - a - t
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   c-a-t

Check. Read the letters back: c-a-t. They spell cat. ✓

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

Method. Check the last letters of each name.

1. Look at duck. duck ends with ck.
   duck: ck
2. Look at dog and rat. dog ends with g. rat ends with t.
   dog: g; rat: t
3. Write the answer.
   duck

Check. Only duck ends with ck. ✓

Watch out. Check the last letters.

Method. Look at the first letter of egg.

1. Read the word. Read every letter.
   e - gg
2. Find the first letter. The first letter is e.
   first letter: e
3. Give your answer. Say why Ben is wrong.
   Accept any answer that says no: egg starts with e, and it has gg at the end.

Check. e makes the sound /e/. ✓

Watch out. Do not confuse the first and last letters.

Method. Say the first sound of each name.

1. Look at rug. rug starts with r, so /r/.
   rug: /r/
2. Look at cup. cup starts with c, which makes the sound /k/.
   cup: /k/
3. Give your answer. Say why cup is right.
   Accept any answer that picks cup and says c makes the sound /k/ at the start.

Check. Only cup starts with the sound /k/. ✓

Watch out. The letter c can make the sound /k/.

Method. Choose two pictures and check their first letters.

1. Think of one word. Use one of the letters in this chapter.
   goat: g
2. Think of another word. Use a different letter from this chapter.
   rat: r
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any two words that start with g, o, c, k, e, u or r, such as goat and rat.

Check. Each word starts with a letter from this chapter. ✓

Watch out. Pick two different first letters.

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.
   d - u - ck
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /d/ /u/ /k/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /d/ /u/ /k/ = duck

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

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