Vowel sounds: vowel digraphs

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ai/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   rain: ai · tree: ee · cup: u
2. Find the group ai. ai makes the sound /ai/.
   ai is in rain.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   rain

Check. Say rain slowly. It has the sound /ai/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ee/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   rain: ai · sun: u · tree: ee
2. Find the group ee. ee makes the sound /ee/.
   ee is in tree.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   tree

Check. Say tree slowly. It has the sound /ee/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Say rain sound by sound.

1. Say rain. Find the middle sound.
   r - ai - n
2. Find the middle sound. ai makes one sound, /ai/.
   middle sound: /ai/
3. Write the answer. Write both letters together.
   ai

Check. ai makes one sound in the middle of rain. ✓

Watch out. Write a and i together.

Method. Say tree sound by sound.

1. Say tree. Each sound is one box.
   t - r - ee
2. Find the sound /ee/. The letters ee make one sound, /ee/.
   ee = /ee/
3. Write the answer.
   ee

Check. ee makes one sound at the end of tree. ✓

Watch out. Write e and e 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.
   rain
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   r - ai - n
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   r-ai-n

Check. Read the letters back: r-ai-n. They spell rain. ✓

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

Check. Read the letters back: t-r-ee. They spell tree. ✓

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

Check. Check the picture of a rain. 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.
   t - r - ee
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /t/ /r/ /ee/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /t/ /r/ /ee/ = tree

Check. Check the picture of a tree. 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.
   bee
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   b - ee
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   b-ee

Check. Read the letters back: b-ee. They spell bee. ✓

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

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

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

Method. Say rain one sound at a time.

1. Say the sounds. Each box is one sound.
   r - ai - n
2. Count the sounds. ai is one sound.
   r, ai, n
3. Write the answer.
   3 sounds.

Check. Count again: r, ai, n. There are 3. ✓

Watch out. Count sounds, not letters.

Method. Count the sounds, not the letters.

1. Count the letters. rain has four letters.
   r, a, i, n
2. Count the sounds. ai is one sound, so there are fewer sounds than letters.
   r, ai, n
3. Give your answer. Say why Ben is wrong.
   Accept any answer that says no: rain has three sounds, r, ai and n, because ai is one sound.

Check. Three sounds: r, ai and n. ✓

Watch out. Two letters can make one sound.

Method. Say each name and find the sound at the end.

1. Say tree. tree ends with the sound /ee/.
   tree: /ee/
2. Say rain and cup. rain ends with /n/. cup ends with /p/.
   rain: /n/; cup: /p/
3. Write the answer.
   tree

Check. Only tree ends with /ee/. ✓

Watch out. Look at the end of each word.

Method. Find the vowel sound in each word.

1. Look at rain. The vowel sound is /ai/.
   rain: /ai/
2. Look at tree. The vowel sound is /ee/.
   tree: /ee/
3. Give your answer. Say whether the sounds are the same.
   Accept any answer that says no: rain has the sound /ai/, and tree has the sound /ee/.

Check. /ai/ and /ee/ are different sounds. ✓

Watch out. Say each word slowly to hear the vowel.

Method. Look at the spelling of each sound.

1. Look at rain. The sound /ai/ is spelled with ai.
   ai
2. Look at tree. The sound /ee/ is spelled with ee.
   ee
3. Give your answer. Say how many letters make each sound.
   Accept any answer that says yes: ai and ee are each two letters that make one vowel sound.

Check. Each vowel sound is two letters. ✓

Watch out. Two letters can make one vowel sound.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ie/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   tree: ee · light: igh · boat: oa
2. Find the group igh. igh makes the sound /ie/.
   igh is in light.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   light

Check. Say light slowly. It has the sound /ie/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /oa/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   boat: oa · rain: ai · coin: oi
2. Find the group oa. oa makes the sound /oa/.
   oa is in boat.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   boat

Check. Say boat slowly. It has the sound /oa/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /oa/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   car: ar · fork: or · goat: oa
2. Find the group oa. oa makes the sound /oa/.
   oa is in goat.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   goat

Check. Say goat slowly. It has the sound /oa/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel 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.
   goat
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   g - oa - t
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   g-oa-t

Check. Read the letters back: g-oa-t. They spell goat. ✓

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.
   light
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   l - igh - t
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   l-igh-t

Check. Read the letters back: l-igh-t. They spell light. ✓

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

Check. Check the picture of a goat. 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.
   l - igh - t
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /l/ /ie/ /t/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /l/ /ie/ /t/ = light

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

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

Method. Say light sound by sound.

1. Say light. Find the middle sound.
   l - igh - t
2. Find the middle sound. igh makes one sound, /ie/.
   middle sound: /ie/
3. Write the answer. Write all three letters together.
   igh

Check. igh makes one sound in the middle of light. ✓

Watch out. Write i, g and h in one box.

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

Check. Read the letters back: c-oa-t. They spell coat. ✓

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

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

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

Method. Say light one sound at a time.

1. Say the sounds. igh is one sound.
   l - igh - t
2. Count the sounds. Count each sound once.
   l, igh, t
3. Write the answer.
   3 sounds.

Check. Count again: l, igh, t. There are 3. ✓

Watch out. Count the sounds, not the letters.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ow/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   cow: ow · boat: oa · pig: i
2. Find the group ow. ow makes the sound /ow/.
   ow is in cow.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   cow

Check. Say cow slowly. It has the sound /ow/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

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

Check. Check the picture of a goat. 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 has the sound /ie/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   tree: ee · light: igh · rain: ai
2. Find the group igh. igh makes the sound /ie/.
   igh is in light.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   light

Check. Say light slowly. It has the sound /ie/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Say boat sound by sound.

1. Say boat. Find the vowel sound.
   b - oa - t
2. Find the sound /oa/. oa makes one sound.
   oa = /oa/
3. Write the answer.
   oa

Check. oa makes one sound in boat. ✓

Watch out. Write o and a 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.
   light
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   l - igh - t
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   l-igh-t

Check. Read the letters back: l-igh-t. They spell light. ✓

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

Method. Count the letters, then count the sounds.

1. Count the letters. l, i, g, h, t.
   5 letters
2. Count the sounds. igh is one sound, so there are three sounds.
   l, igh, t
3. Give your answer. Say whether Sam is right.
   Accept any answer that says yes: light has five letters, l, i, g, h, t, and three sounds, l, igh and t.

Check. Five letters, three sounds. ✓

Watch out. Letters and sounds are not always the same number.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound long /oo/ as in moon in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   pig: i · cup: u · moon: oo
2. Find the group oo. oo makes the sound long /oo/ as in moon.
   oo is in moon.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   moon

Check. Say moon slowly. It has the sound long /oo/ as in moon. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound short /oo/ as in book in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   book: oo · pig: i · rain: ai
2. Find the group oo. oo makes the sound short /oo/ as in book.
   oo is in book.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   book

Check. Say book slowly. It has the sound short /oo/ as in book. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel 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.
   moon
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   m - oo - n
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   m-oo-n

Check. Read the letters back: m-oo-n. They spell moon. ✓

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.
   book
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   b - oo - k
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   b-oo-k

Check. Read the letters back: b-oo-k. They spell book. ✓

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

Check. Check the picture of a moon. 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.
   b - oo - k
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /b/ /oo/ /k/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /b/ /oo/ /k/ = book

Check. Check the picture of a book. 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.
   b-o-o-k
2. Find the sound that is not first or last. The middle one sits between the other two.
   The middle letter is oo.
3. Write the answer. Write the letter for the middle sound.
   oo

Check. Say the word again: b-o-o-k. The middle sound is oo. ✓

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

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

Check. Read the letters back: s-p-oo-n. They spell spoon. ✓

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

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

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

Method. Say each word and listen to the middle sound with a grown-up.

1. Say moon. The middle sound is long.
   moon: long oo
2. Say book. The middle sound is short.
   book: short oo
3. Give your answer. Say whether the two sounds are the same.
   Accept any answer that says no: moon has a long oo, and book has a short oo.

Check. The two oo sounds are not the same. ✓

Watch out. Learn each word, then use it to remember the sound.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound long /oo/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   moon: oo · cow: ow · tree: ee
2. Find the group oo. oo makes the sound long /oo/.
   oo is in moon.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   moon

Check. Say moon slowly. It has the sound long /oo/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Say book one sound at a time.

1. Say the sounds. oo is one sound.
   b - oo - k
2. Count the sounds. Count each sound once.
   b, oo, k
3. Write the answer.
   3 sounds.

Check. Count again: b, oo, k. There are 3. ✓

Watch out. Count sounds, not letters.

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.
   zoo
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   z - oo
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   z-oo

Check. Read the letters back: z-oo. They spell zoo. ✓

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

Method. Say moon sound by sound.

1. Say moon. The middle sound is one sound.
   m - oo - n
2. Find the middle sound. oo makes one sound, /oo/.
   middle sound: /oo/
3. Write the answer.
   oo

Check. oo makes one sound in moon. ✓

Watch out. Write both o 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.
   m - oo - n
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /m/ /oo/ /n/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /m/ /oo/ /n/ = moon

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

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

Method. Think about how you know the sound of a word.

1. Look at the two words. moon and book have the same letters, oo.
   moon, book
2. Think about the sound. The sound is different in each word, so you must learn each word.
   long and short
3. Give your answer. Say how you learn the sound.
   Accept any answer that says there is no simple rule, and that the child learns each word, such as moon or book.

Check. Learn the words. ✓

Watch out. Read the word with a grown-up and say the sound.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ar/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   car: ar · fork: or · bird: ir
2. Find the group ar. ar makes the sound /ar/.
   ar is in car.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   car

Check. Say car slowly. It has the sound /ar/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /or/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   car: ar · cow: ow · fork: or
2. Find the group or. or makes the sound /or/.
   or is in fork.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   fork

Check. Say fork slowly. It has the sound /or/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ur/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   coin: oi · bird: ir · cow: ow
2. Find the group ir. ir makes the sound /ur/.
   ir is in bird.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   bird

Check. Say bird slowly. It has the sound /ur/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel 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.
   car
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   c - ar
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   c-ar

Check. Read the letters back: c-ar. They spell car. ✓

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.
   fork
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   f - or - k
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   f-or-k

Check. Read the letters back: f-or-k. They spell fork. ✓

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

Check. Check the picture of a car. 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.
   b - ir - d
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /b/ /ur/ /d/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /b/ /ur/ /d/ = bird

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

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

Method. Say car sound by sound.

1. Say car. Find the sound in the middle.
   c - ar
2. Find the vowel sound. ar makes one sound, /ar/.
   vowel sound: /ar/
3. Write the answer. Write both letters together.
   ar

Check. ar makes one sound in car. ✓

Watch out. Write a and r together.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /or/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   fork: or · pig: i · bed: e
2. Find the group or. or makes the sound /or/.
   or is in fork.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   fork

Check. Say fork slowly. It has the sound /or/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Say fork one sound at a time.

1. Say the sounds. or is one sound.
   f - or - k
2. Count the sounds. Count each sound once.
   f, or, k
3. Write the answer.
   3 sounds.

Check. Count again: f, or, k. There are 3. ✓

Watch out. Count sounds, not letters.

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.
   fern
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   f - er - n
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   f-er-n

Check. Read the letters back: f-er-n. They spell fern. ✓

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

Method. Find the vowel sound in fur and in each name.

1. Think of fur. fur has the sound /ur/.
   fur: /ur/
2. Look at bird. bird has the sound /ur/, spelled ir.
   bird: /ur/
3. Look at cow and car. cow has /ow/. car has /ar/.
   cow: /ow/; car: /ar/
4. Write the answer.
   bird

Check. bird has the same vowel sound as fur. ✓

Watch out. Different spellings can make the same sound.

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

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

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

Method. Say bird sound by sound.

1. Say bird. Find the vowel sound.
   b - ir - d
2. Find the sound /ur/. The letters ir make the sound /ur/.
   ir = /ur/
3. Write the answer.
   ir

Check. ir makes the sound /ur/ in bird. ✓

Watch out. Write i and r together.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ar/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   fork: or · car: ar · cup: u
2. Find the group ar. ar makes the sound /ar/.
   ar is in car.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   car

Check. Say car slowly. It has the sound /ar/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the vowel sound in each word.

1. Look at fork. The vowel sound is /or/.
   fork: /or/
2. Look at car. The vowel sound is /ar/.
   car: /ar/
3. Give your answer. Say whether the vowel sounds are the same.
   Accept any answer that says no: fork has the sound /or/, and car has the sound /ar/.

Check. /or/ and /ar/ are different sounds. ✓

Watch out. Say each word slowly.

Method. Compare the sound and the spelling.

1. Look at bird. The vowel sound is /ur/, spelled ir.
   bird: ir
2. Look at fur. The vowel sound is /ur/, spelled ur.
   fur: ur
3. Give your answer. Say whether the sounds match and the spellings are different.
   Accept any answer that says yes: both have the sound /ur/, but bird is spelled ir and fur is spelled ur.

Check. The sound is the same. The spelling is different. ✓

Watch out. The same sound can have different spellings.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ow/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   coin: oi · pear: ear · cow: ow
2. Find the group ow. ow makes the sound /ow/.
   ow is in cow.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   cow

Check. Say cow slowly. It has the sound /ow/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /oi/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   coin: oi · cow: ow · boat: oa
2. Find the group oi. oi makes the sound /oi/.
   oi is in coin.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   coin

Check. Say coin slowly. It has the sound /oi/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /air/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   fern: er · pear: ear · chair: air
2. Find the group ear. ear makes the sound /air/.
   ear is in pear.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   pear

Check. Say pear slowly. It has the sound /air/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /er/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   cow: ow · car: ar · fern: er
2. Find the group er. er makes the sound /er/.
   er is in fern.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   fern

Check. Say fern slowly. It has the sound /er/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel 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.
   cow
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   c - ow
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   c-ow

Check. Read the letters back: c-ow. They spell cow. ✓

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.
   coin
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   c - oi - n
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   c-oi-n

Check. Read the letters back: c-oi-n. They spell coin. ✓

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

Check. Check the picture of a pear. 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.
   ch - air
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /ch/ /air/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /ch/ /air/ = chair

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

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

Method. Say cow sound by sound.

1. Say cow. Find the vowel sound.
   c - ow
2. Find the sound /ow/. The letters ow make one sound, /ow/.
   ow = /ow/
3. Write the answer.
   ow

Check. ow makes one sound in cow. ✓

Watch out. Write o and w together.

Method. Say coin sound by sound.

1. Say coin. Find the vowel sound.
   c - oi - n
2. Find the sound /oi/. The letters oi make one sound.
   oi = /oi/
3. Write the answer.
   oi

Check. oi makes one sound in coin. ✓

Watch out. Write o and i together.

Method. Say chair one sound at a time.

1. Say the sounds. ch is one sound. air is one sound.
   ch - air
2. Count the sounds. Count each sound once.
   ch, air
3. Write the answer.
   2 sounds.

Check. Count again: ch, air. There are 2. ✓

Watch out. Count sounds, not letters.

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.
   fern
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   f - er - n
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   f-er-n

Check. Read the letters back: f-er-n. They spell fern. ✓

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

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /air/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   pear: ear · fern: er · cow: ow
2. Find the group ear. ear makes the sound /air/.
   ear is in pear.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   pear

Check. Say pear slowly. It has the sound /air/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /er/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   fern: er · coin: oi · rain: ai
2. Find the group er. er makes the sound /er/.
   er is in fern.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   fern

Check. Say fern slowly. It has the sound /er/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

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

Check. Check the picture of a cow. 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 - ai - l
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /n/ /ai/ /l/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /n/ /ai/ /l/ = nail

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

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

Method. Find the vowel sound in each name.

1. Look at pear. pear has the sound /air/.
   pear: /air/
2. Look at chair. chair has the sound /air/.
   chair: /air/
3. Look at cow. cow has the sound /ow/.
   cow: /ow/
4. Write the answer.
   pear and chair

Check. Pear and chair have the same vowel sound. ✓

Watch out. Check the vowel sound of each name, not the spelling.

Method. Count the letters that make each sound.

1. Look at cow. The sound /ow/ is made by ow.
   ow
2. Look at coin. The sound /oi/ is made by oi.
   oi
3. Give your answer. Say how many letters make each sound.
   Accept any answer that says yes: each sound is made by two letters, ow in cow and oi in coin.

Check. Two letters, one sound each. ✓

Watch out. Two letters can make one vowel sound.

Method. Look at the sound and the spelling of each word.

1. Look at pear. pear is spelled with ear.
   pear: ear
2. Look at chair. chair is spelled with air.
   chair: air
3. Give your answer. Say whether the sounds are the same.
   Accept any answer that says yes: both have the sound /air/, but pear is spelled ear and chair is spelled air.

Check. The sound is the same, and the spellings are different. ✓

Watch out. The same sound can have different spellings.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ai/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   rain: ai · cup: u · tree: ee
2. Find the group ai. ai makes the sound /ai/.
   ai is in rain.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   rain

Check. Say rain slowly. It has the sound /ai/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Say tree sound by sound.

1. Say tree. Find the vowel sound.
   t - r - ee
2. Find the sound /ee/. The letters ee make one sound.
   ee = /ee/
3. Write the answer.
   ee

Check. ee makes one sound at the end of tree. ✓

Watch out. Write e and e 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.
   goat
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   g - oa - t
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   g-oa-t

Check. Read the letters back: g-oa-t. They spell goat. ✓

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.
   l - igh - t
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /l/ /ie/ /t/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /l/ /ie/ /t/ = light

Check. Check the picture of a light. 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 has the sound long /oo/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   book: oo · moon: oo · pig: i
2. Find the group oo. oo makes the sound long /oo/.
   oo is in moon.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   moon

Check. Say moon slowly. It has the sound long /oo/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ar/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   car: ar · pig: i · fork: or
2. Find the group ar. ar makes the sound /ar/.
   ar is in car.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   car

Check. Say car slowly. It has the sound /ar/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Say cow sound by sound.

1. Say cow. Find the vowel sound.
   c - ow
2. Find the sound /ow/. The letters ow make one sound.
   ow = /ow/
3. Write the answer.
   ow

Check. ow makes one sound in cow. ✓

Watch out. Write o and w together.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /er/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   fern: er · boat: oa · coin: oi
2. Find the group er. er makes the sound /er/.
   er is in fern.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   fern

Check. Say fern slowly. It has the sound /er/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Say rain one sound at a time.

1. Say the sounds. ai is one sound.
   r - ai - n
2. Count the sounds. Count each sound once.
   r, ai, n
3. Write the answer.
   3 sounds.

Check. Count again: r, ai, n. There are 3. ✓

Watch out. Count sounds, not letters.

Method. Say each word and find the vowel sound.

1. Say pear. The vowel sound is /air/.
   pear: /air/
2. Say chair. The vowel sound is /air/ too.
   chair: /air/
3. Give your answer. Use the words same sound.
   Accept any answer that says ear and air both make the sound /air/, so pear and chair rhyme.

Check. Both words end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Learn the spelling of each word.

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /oa/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   boat: oa · cow: ow · rat: a
2. Find the group oa. oa makes the sound /oa/.
   oa is in boat.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   boat

Check. Say boat slowly. It has the sound /oa/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

Method. Say rain sound by sound.

1. Say rain. Find the vowel sound.
   r - ai - n
2. Find the sound /ai/. The letters ai make one sound.
   ai = /ai/
3. Write the answer.
   ai

Check. ai makes one sound in rain. ✓

Watch out. Write a and i 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.
   coin
2. Say each sound in order. Each sound is written as one box.
   c - oi - n
3. Write the letters in order. The letters go in the same order as the sounds.
   c-oi-n

Check. Read the letters back: c-oi-n. They spell coin. ✓

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

Method. Find the picture whose name has the sound /ur/ in the middle.

1. Look at the vowel group in each name. Two or three letters together can make one vowel sound.
   bird: ir · car: ar · tree: ee
2. Find the group ir. ir makes the sound /ur/.
   ir is in bird.
3. Write the answer. Use the word written under the picture.
   bird

Check. Say bird slowly. It has the sound /ur/. ✓

Watch out. Look for the whole vowel group, not only the first vowel letter.

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.
   b - oo - k
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /b/ /oo/ /k/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /b/ /oo/ /k/ = book

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

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

Method. Say light one sound at a time.

1. Say the sounds. igh is one sound.
   l - igh - t
2. Count the sounds. Count each sound once.
   l, igh, t
3. Write the answer.
   3 sounds.

Check. Count again: l, igh, t. There are 3. ✓

Watch out. Count sounds, not 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.
   f - ar - m
2. Say the sounds, then join them. Blending means joining the sounds together into one word.
   /f/ /ar/ /m/
3. Write the word. The blended sounds make the word.
   /f/ /ar/ /m/ = farm

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

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

Method. Find the vowel sound in each word.

1. Look at fork. The vowel sound is /or/.
   fork: /or/
2. Look at car. The vowel sound is /ar/.
   car: /ar/
3. Give your answer. Say whether the vowel sounds match.
   Accept any answer that says no: fork has the sound /or/, and car has the sound /ar/.

Check. /or/ and /ar/ are different sounds. ✓

Watch out. Say each word slowly.

Method. Pick two words and find the vowel letters in each.

1. Think of the first word. The vowel letters are in the middle.
   rain: ai
2. Think of the second word. The vowel letters are in the middle.
   boat: oa
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any two words with a vowel digraph in the middle, such as rain (ai) and boat (oa).

Check. Each word has two letters that make one vowel sound. ✓

Watch out. The vowel letters are the two letters together.

Method. Say each word with a grown-up.

1. Say moon. The sound is long.
   moon: long oo
2. Say book. The sound is short.
   book: short oo
3. Give your answer. Say whether they are the same.
   Accept any answer that says no: moon has a long oo, and book has a short oo. Learn each word.

Check. The two sounds are different. ✓

Watch out. Learn each word, then remember its sound.