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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 1Chapter 1 · Letter sounds: s, a, t, p, i, n
Level 1 · Chapter 1

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

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can say the sound for s, a, t, p, i and n
  • I can find the picture that starts with the sound I need
  • I can find the letter that a picture name starts with
  • I can tell which picture does not match the others

You should already know

  • Knowing the names of some letters
  • Naming pictures at home or nursery

Where this leads

  • Letter sounds: m, d, g, o, c, k (Chapter 2)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 1). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Say the sound for each letter s, a, t, p, i and n, Find the picture whose name starts with a given sound, Find the letter that a picture name starts with, Tell whether a sentence about a first letter is right.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich letter comes first in the alphabet: t, a or p? A p B t C a Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich letter comes straight after a in the alphabet? A d B b C c Choose A, B or C.
3
FHow many letters are in the word pan? A 3 B 4 C 2 Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich letter does the word tin start with? Choose from: a, n, t
5
FWhich letter comes straight after p in the alphabet? A o B q C r Choose A, B or C.
1.1

The sounds of s and a

Level 1
Say the sound for s and a, Find the picture whose name starts with the sound
Video lesson: The sounds of s and aComing soon

Each letter has a sound. The sound is the noise the letter makes.

The letter s makes the sound /s/, as in sun and sock.

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

Look at the first letter of a picture name. It tells you the first sound.

Key ideas

  • s makes the sound /s/, as in sun and sock.
  • a makes the sound /a/, as in ant and apple.
  • The first letter of a picture name gives the first sound.
  • Say each sound short and clear.
Worked example 1.1.1
Which picture starts with the sound /s/? Look at the first letter of each name.igloosunnet

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    igloo: i sun: s net: n
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /s/. That is the picture you need.
    sun starts with s
  3. Write the answer.
    sun

Check. Only sun starts with s. ✓

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

Worked example 1.1.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, t, s

Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.
    sun
  2. Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.
    sun starts with s
  3. Write the answer.
    s

Check. s is the first letter of sun. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 1.1.3
Which picture starts with the sound /s/? Look at the first letter of each name.peninksock

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    pen: p ink: i sock: s
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /s/. That is the picture you need.
    sock starts with s
  3. Write the answer.
    sock

Check. Only sock starts with s. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: sun has a u in the middle. For the first sound, only the first letter counts.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the sounds, not the letter names: "sss" for s, and "a" as in ant. Point to the letter, then the picture, then the first letter of the name.

Exercise 1A  Practice: the sounds of s and a

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, t, s
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /a/? Look at the first letter of each name.
antpensock
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: t, s, a
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /a/? Look at the first letter of each name.
iglooappletent
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, t
6
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
sunsockant
7
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
antapplesun
8
RSam says that sun starts with a. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
sun
9
RSam says that ant starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
ant
1.2

The sounds of t and p

Level 1
Say the sound for t and p, Find the letter for a picture name
Video lesson: The sounds of t and pComing soon

Tom has a tin on the shelf. Tin starts with t. The letter t makes the sound /t/.

The letter p makes the sound /p/, as in pan and pig.

Say /t/ and /p/ as short sounds. Do not add "uh" after them.

Key ideas

  • t makes the sound /t/, as in tin, top and tent.
  • p makes the sound /p/, as in pan, pin and pig.
  • Say /t/ and /p/ quickly, with no extra sound.
  • Look at the first letter only.
Worked example 1.2.1
Which picture starts with the sound /t/? Look at the first letter of each name.tinpanapple

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    tin: t pan: p apple: a
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /t/. That is the picture you need.
    tin starts with t
  3. Write the answer.
    tin

Check. Only tin starts with t. ✓

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

Worked example 1.2.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, t

Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.
    tin
  2. Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.
    tin starts with t
  3. Write the answer.
    t

Check. t is the first letter of tin. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 1.2.3
Which picture starts with the sound /t/? Look at the first letter of each name.sunnuttap

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    sun: s nut: n tap: t
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /t/. That is the picture you need.
    tap starts with t
  3. Write the answer.
    tap

Check. Only tap starts with t. ✓

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

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" not "tuh", and "p" not "puh". Ask the child to point to the first letter of each name.

Exercise 1B  Practice: the sounds of t and p

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: t, a, s
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /t/? Look at the first letter of each name.
inkpintop
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, t
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /t/? Look at the first letter of each name.
socktentpan
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: t, a, s
6
FWhich picture starts with the sound /p/? Look at the first letter of each name.
topantpan
7
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, p
8
FWhich picture starts with the sound /p/? Look at the first letter of each name.
pininktop
9
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, p, s
10
FWhich picture starts with the sound /p/? Look at the first letter of each name.
pigantsock
11
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: p, a, s
12
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
tintapsun
13
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
panpinsun
14
RSam says that tin starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
tin
15
RSam says that pan starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
pan
1.3

The sounds of i and n

Level 1
Say the sound for i and n, Match a letter to its picture
Video lesson: The sounds of i and nComing soon

The letter i makes the sound /i/, as in ink and igloo.

The letter n makes the sound /n/, as in nut and net.

Some picture names start with a letter that is easy to miss. Check the very first letter.

Key ideas

  • i makes the sound /i/, as in ink and igloo.
  • n makes the sound /n/, as in nut and net.
  • The first letter tells you the first sound.
  • Look at the first letter, not the last.
Worked example 1.3.1
Which picture starts with the sound /i/? Look at the first letter of each name.suninknut

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    sun: s ink: i nut: n
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /i/. That is the picture you need.
    ink starts with i
  3. Write the answer.
    ink

Check. Only ink starts with i. ✓

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

Worked example 1.3.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: i, a, s

Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.
    ink
  2. Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.
    ink starts with i
  3. Write the answer.
    i

Check. i is the first letter of ink. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 1.3.3
Which picture starts with the sound /i/? Look at the first letter of each name.sockpotigloo

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    sock: s pot: p igloo: i
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /i/. That is the picture you need.
    igloo starts with i
  3. Write the answer.
    igloo

Check. Only igloo starts with i. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: net ends with t, but it starts with n. Read the first letter only.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say "i" as in ink, short and sharp. Say "n" as in nut, with the tongue behind the teeth.

Exercise 1C  Practice: the sounds of i and n

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, i, a
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /n/? Look at the first letter of each name.
inkpennut
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, n
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /n/? Look at the first letter of each name.
inknetpin
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, n, a
6
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
inkigloosun
7
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
nutnetsun
8
RSam says that ink starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
ink
9
RSam says that nut starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
nut
1.4

Mixing the sounds: s, a, t, p, i, n

Level 1
Mix the six sounds and find the right picture or letter
Video lesson: Mixing the sounds: s, a, t, p, i, nComing soon

Now all six letters are mixed together. Look at the first letter of each picture name, then choose the picture or letter that matches.

Take it slowly. One picture at a time.

Key ideas

  • Use the first letter of each name.
  • Keep the six letters in mind: s, a, t, p, i, n.
  • Each letter has one main sound in this chapter.
Worked example 1.4.1
Which picture starts with the sound /s/? Look at the first letter of each name.igloosunnet

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    igloo: i sun: s net: n
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /s/. That is the picture you need.
    sun starts with s
  3. Write the answer.
    sun

Check. Only sun starts with s. ✓

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

Worked example 1.4.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, t, s

Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.
    sun
  2. Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.
    sun starts with s
  3. Write the answer.
    s

Check. s is the first letter of sun. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 1.4.3
Sam says that sun starts with a. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.sun

Method. Find the first letter, then check Sam's claim.

  1. Say the word slowly. Look at the first letter.
    sun
  2. Find the first letter. The first letter gives the first sound.
    first letter = s
  3. Compare with what Sam said. The two letters must match.
    a is not s
  4. Write the answer.
    No, sun starts with s.

Check. sun begins with s. ✓

Watch out. Look at the first letter, not a letter in the middle.

Watch out

Watch out: a picture can start with a letter from this set and still not be the one you want. Check every letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to the first letter of each picture name, then say the sound together.

Exercise 1D  Practice: all six sounds

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /a/? Look at the first letter of each name.
iglooappletent
2
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, t
3
FWhich picture starts with the sound /t/? Look at the first letter of each name.
inkpintop
4
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, t
5
FWhich picture starts with the sound /t/? Look at the first letter of each name.
socktentpan
6
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: t, a, s
7
FWhich picture starts with the sound /p/? Look at the first letter of each name.
tinpotsun
8
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, p
9
FWhich picture starts with the sound /p/? Look at the first letter of each name.
sockpenigloo
10
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, p
11
FWhich picture starts with the sound /i/? Look at the first letter of each name.
sockpotigloo
12
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
toptentsun
13
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
potpensun
14
RSam says that apple starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
apple
15
RSam says that top starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
top
16
RSam says that pot starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
pot

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Say the sound of s, a, t, p, i and nUse the example word for each letter
Find the picture that starts with a soundLook only at the first letter of each name
Find the letter a picture starts withSay the name slowly, then find its first letter
Tell which picture does not matchCompare the first letters of all the names

Can you…?

  • I can say the sound for s, a, t, p, i and n
  • I can find the picture whose name starts with the sound I need
  • I can find the first letter of a picture name
  • I can tell when a first letter is wrong

Key terms

sound
the noise a letter makes, such as /s/
first sound
the sound at the start of a word
letter
a mark we write, such as s or a
picture name
the word for what a picture shows

Exercise 1Z  Check-up

1
Which picture starts with the sound /s/? Look at the first letter of each name.
igloosunnet
2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, t, s
3
Sam says that sun starts with a. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
sun
4
Which picture starts with the sound /t/? Look at the first letter of each name.
tinpanapple
5
Which picture starts with the sound /p/? Look at the first letter of each name.
topantpan
6
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, p
7
Sam says that pan starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
pan
8
Which picture starts with the sound /a/? Look at the first letter of each name.
antpensock
9
Which letter does the word pin start with: n, p or i? A n B p C i Choose A, B or C.
10
Which letter does the word nut start with? Choose from: n, t, a

Total 10 marks. Allow about 10 minutes.

Exercise 1X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /i/? Look at the first letter of each name.[1 mark]
sockpotigloo
2
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, i, a[1 mark]
3
FWhich picture starts with the sound /n/? Look at the first letter of each name.[1 mark]
inknetpin
4
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, n, a[1 mark]
5
FWhich letter makes the sound at the start of ant? Choose a, s or n. A s B a C n Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
6
FWhich picture name starts with t? Choose tent, pan or sun. A tent B sun C pan Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
7
FWhich letter does the word sun start with? Choose n, s or i. A i B s C n Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
8
FWhich letter does the word pot start with? Choose from: p, t, o[1 mark]
9
FWhich picture name starts with i? Choose ink, pig or net. A pig B ink C net Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
10
FWhich letter makes the sound /p/? Choose p, t or a. A t B p C a Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
Chapter 2: Letter sounds: m, d, g, o, c, k →

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