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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 1Chapter 5 · Blending short words
Level 1 · Chapter 5

Blending short words

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can join the sounds of three letters to read a word
  • I can find the picture or written word that matches the letters
  • I can blend the first two letters and then add the last one
  • I can find a word with the same middle vowel

You should already know

  • Simple CVC words (Chapter 4)
  • Letter sounds for all the letters so far (Chapters 1 to 4)

Where this leads

  • Segmenting and spelling short words (Chapter 6)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 1). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Blend the letters of a short word in order, Choose the picture that matches a blended word, Choose the written word that matches a set of letters, Blend the first two letters, then add the last letter, Read a word that has the same middle vowel as a model word.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich letter makes the sound /r/ at the start of rat? Choose r, b or l. A l B r C b Choose A, B or C.
2
FRead the word: dog. Does the picture show dog? Answer yes or no.
3
FWhich letter is in the middle of the word pig? Choose p, i or g. A p B g C i Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich letter does the word hen start with? Choose from: h, n, e
5
FWhich letter makes the short sound /u/ in mug? Choose a, u or o. A u B a C o Choose A, B or C.
5.1

Blend three letters to find the picture

Level 1
Blend three letters to read a word, Match the word to its picture
Video lesson: Blend three letters to find the pictureComing soon

To blend a word, say each sound in order, then join them together.

The letters c - a - t make the sounds /c/ /a/ /t/. Join them together and you get cat.

Read every letter from left to right. Then look for the picture that matches.

Key ideas

  • Blend means join the sounds together.
  • Read the letters from left to right.
  • Blend the sounds into one word before you choose.
Worked example 5.1.1
Blend the letters: c - a - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the letters in order. Say each letter in order.
    c - a - t
  2. Join them into one word. Blend the sounds together, not one at a time.
    cat
  3. Find the picture with that name. Picture C shows a cat.
    cat = picture C
  4. Write the answer.
    C

Check. The other pictures show different names: pin, bus. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Worked example 5.1.2
Blend the letters: d - o - g. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the letters in order. Say each letter in order.
    d - o - g
  2. Join them into one word. Blend the sounds together, not one at a time.
    dog
  3. Find the picture with that name. Picture A shows a dog.
    dog = picture A
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. The other pictures show different names: pot, fan. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Worked example 5.1.3
Blend the letters: p - i - n. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the letters in order. Say each letter in order.
    p - i - n
  2. Join them into one word. Blend the sounds together, not one at a time.
    pin
  3. Find the picture with that name. Picture A shows a pin.
    pin = picture A
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. The other pictures show different names: fan, cat. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Watch out

Watch out: blend the sounds into one word. Do not stop after the first letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Model the blend with a finger under the letters. Say "c-a-t" slowly, then faster, until the child can say the word in one go.

Exercise 5A  Practice: blend three letters to find the picture

1
FBlend the letters: b - u - s. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
2
FBlend the letters: h - e - n. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
3
FBlend the letters: m - u - g. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
4
FBlend the letters: p - o - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
5
FBlend the letters: f - a - n. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
6
FRead the word: cat. Does the picture show cat? Answer yes or no.
7
FRead the word: dog. Does the picture show dog? Answer yes or no.
8
FRead the word: pin. Does the picture show pin? Answer yes or no.
9
FRead the word: bus. Does the picture show bus? Answer yes or no.
10
FRead the word: hen. Does the picture show hen? Answer yes or no.
11
FRead the word: mug. Does the picture show mug? Answer yes or no.
12
FRead the word: pot. Does the picture show pot? Answer yes or no.
13
FRead the word: fan. Does the picture show fan? Answer yes or no.
5.2

Blend to find the written word

Level 1
Blend letters to find a written word, Choose the word that matches the letters
Video lesson: Blend to find the written wordComing soon

When you blend letters, you make a word. The word must use every letter in order.

For h - u - t, join the sounds to make hut. Check each choice on the page.

The word that matches is the one with the same letters in the same order.

Key ideas

  • Blend the letters in order.
  • Check each word letter by letter.
  • The word must use the letters in the same order.
Worked example 5.2.1
Blend these letters: p - i - g. Which word is it? A hat B cat C pig Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read every choice, then pick the one that fits.

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    hat / cat / pig
  2. Find the one that fits. Joining the letters in order, one sound after another, makes this word.
    pig is choice C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Read pig in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 5.2.2
Blend these letters: c - u - p. Which word is it? A hat B cup C bat Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read every choice, then pick the one that fits.

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    hat / cup / bat
  2. Find the one that fits. Joining the letters in order, one sound after another, makes this word.
    cup is choice B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read cup in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 5.2.3
Blend these letters: h - a - t. Which word is it? A tin B hat C pin Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read every choice, then pick the one that fits.

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    tin / hat / pin
  2. Find the one that fits. Joining the letters in order, one sound after another, makes this word.
    hat is choice B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read hat in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Watch out

Watch out: pig and pin start with the same two letters, but end differently. Read every letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to read the choices aloud, then point to the one that matches the letters.

Exercise 5B  Practice: blend to find the written word

1
FBlend these letters: n - e - t. Which word is it? A hat B cat C net Choose A, B or C.
2
FBlend these letters: m - o - p. Which word is it? A mop B cat C hat Choose A, B or C.
3
FBlend these letters: r - u - g. Which word is it? A rug B cat C hat Choose A, B or C.
4
FBlend these letters: b - e - d. Which word is it? A hat B bed C cat Choose A, B or C.
5
FBlend these letters: b - u - s. Which word is it? A bus B hat C cat Choose A, B or C.
6
FBlend the first two letters: p - i makes pi. Now add the last letter, g. Which word is it? A pig B map C hat Choose A, B or C.
7
FBlend the first two letters: c - u makes cu. Now add the last letter, p. Which word is it? A net B cup C map Choose A, B or C.
8
FBlend the first two letters: h - a makes ha. Now add the last letter, t. Which word is it? A hat B net C sun Choose A, B or C.
9
FBlend the first two letters: n - e makes ne. Now add the last letter, t. Which word is it? A hen B cup C net Choose A, B or C.
10
FBlend the first two letters: m - o makes mo. Now add the last letter, p. Which word is it? A net B mop C bus Choose A, B or C.
11
FBlend the first two letters: r - u makes ru. Now add the last letter, g. Which word is it? A hat B pig C rug Choose A, B or C.
12
FBlend the first two letters: b - e makes be. Now add the last letter, d. Which word is it? A bed B cup C dog Choose A, B or C.
13
FBlend the first two letters: b - u makes bu. Now add the last letter, s. Which word is it? A bus B net C pig Choose A, B or C.
5.3

Blend the first two letters, then add the last

Level 1
Blend two letters, then add the last letter, Read the whole word
Video lesson: Blend the first two letters, then add the lastComing soon

Here is another way to read a word. First, blend the first two letters. Then add the last letter to the end.

For b - e - d: blend be, then add d to make bed.

Read the whole word again to check.

Key ideas

  • Blend the first two letters.
  • Add the last letter on the end.
  • Read the whole word again to check.
Worked example 5.3.1
Blend the first two letters: b - e makes be. Now add the last letter, d. Which word is it? A bed B cup C dog Choose A, B or C.

Method. Blend the first two letters, then add the last one.

  1. Blend the first two letters. Join the two sounds into one.
    be
  2. Add the last letter. Join the last sound on the end.
    bed
  3. Find the matching word. Choice A is bed.
    bed = choice A
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the whole word again: bed. ✓

Watch out. Add the last letter at the end. Do not change the first two.

Worked example 5.3.2
Blend the first two letters: b - u makes bu. Now add the last letter, s. Which word is it? A bus B net C pig Choose A, B or C.

Method. Blend the first two letters, then add the last one.

  1. Blend the first two letters. Join the two sounds into one.
    bu
  2. Add the last letter. Join the last sound on the end.
    bus
  3. Find the matching word. Choice A is bus.
    bus = choice A
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the whole word again: bus. ✓

Watch out. Add the last letter at the end. Do not change the first two.

Worked example 5.3.3
Blend the first two letters: f - a makes fa. Now add the last letter, n. Which word is it? A fan B hen C rug Choose A, B or C.

Method. Blend the first two letters, then add the last one.

  1. Blend the first two letters. Join the two sounds into one.
    fa
  2. Add the last letter. Join the last sound on the end.
    fan
  3. Find the matching word. Choice A is fan.
    fan = choice A
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the whole word again: fan. ✓

Watch out. Add the last letter at the end. Do not change the first two.

Watch out

Watch out: the first two letters make the start of the word, not the whole word. Always add the last letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Cover the last letter with a finger. Say the first two sounds, then uncover the last letter and add its sound.

Exercise 5C  Practice: blend the first two letters, then add the last

1
FBlend the first two letters: m - o makes mo. Now add the last letter, p. Which word is it? A net B mop C bus Choose A, B or C.
2
FBlend the first two letters: h - e makes he. Now add the last letter, n. Which word is it? A pig B dog C hen Choose A, B or C.
3
FBlend the first two letters: s - u makes su. Now add the last letter, n. Which word is it? A rug B map C sun Choose A, B or C.
4
FBlend the first two letters: p - e makes pe. Now add the last letter, n. Which word is it? A pen B map C hen Choose A, B or C.
5
FBlend the first two letters: b - u makes bu. Now add the last letter, g. Which word is it? A hen B bug C sun Choose A, B or C.
6
FRead the word: bed. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
7
FRead the word: bus. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
8
FRead the word: fan. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
9
FRead the word: mop. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
10
FRead the word: hen. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
11
FRead the word: sun. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
12
FRead the word: pen. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
13
FRead the word: bug. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
5.4

Read a word with the same middle vowel

Level 1
Find the vowel in the middle, Read a word that has the same middle vowel
Video lesson: Read a word with the same middle vowelComing soon

Every CVC word has a vowel in the middle. Words with the same middle vowel sound alike in the middle.

cat and hat both have a in the middle. dog and log both have o in the middle.

Find the middle letter of the model word, then find the word that has the same middle letter.

Key ideas

  • Find the middle letter of the model word.
  • Find the word that has the same middle letter.
  • Read the whole word before you choose.
Worked example 5.4.1
The word cat has the middle letter a. Which word has the same middle letter? A tin B hat C pin Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find the middle letter, then find the choice that has the same one.

  1. Find the middle letter of the model word. It is the vowel in the middle.
    cat: middle = a
  2. Find the word with the same middle letter. Check each choice.
    hat has middle a
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both cat and hat have a in the middle. ✓

Watch out. Look at the middle letter only, not the first or the last.

Worked example 5.4.2
The word pin has the middle letter i. Which word has the same middle letter? A hat B tin C cat Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find the middle letter, then find the choice that has the same one.

  1. Find the middle letter of the model word. It is the vowel in the middle.
    pin: middle = i
  2. Find the word with the same middle letter. Check each choice.
    tin has middle i
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both pin and tin have i in the middle. ✓

Watch out. Look at the middle letter only, not the first or the last.

Worked example 5.4.3
The word dog has the middle letter o. Which word has the same middle letter? A cat B log C hat Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find the middle letter, then find the choice that has the same one.

  1. Find the middle letter of the model word. It is the vowel in the middle.
    dog: middle = o
  2. Find the word with the same middle letter. Check each choice.
    log has middle o
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both dog and log have o in the middle. ✓

Watch out. Look at the middle letter only, not the first or the last.

Watch out

Watch out: the first and last letters can change. Only the middle letter must match.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Point to the middle letter first. Then ask the child to read the whole word and say which one has the same middle.

Exercise 5D  Practice: read a word with the same middle vowel

1
FRead the word: cat. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
2
FRead the word: dog. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
3
FRead the word: pin. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
4
FRead the word: hen. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
5
FRead the word: bus. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
6
FRead the word: map. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
7
FRead the word: pot. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
8
FRead the word: net. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
9
PSThe word bus has the middle letter u. Which word has the same middle letter? A bug B cat C hat Choose A, B or C.
10
PSThe word bed has the middle letter e. Which word has the same middle letter? A hen B hat C cat Choose A, B or C.
11
PSThe word mug has the middle letter u. Which word has the same middle letter? A cat B hat C cup Choose A, B or C.
12
PSThe word map has the middle letter a. Which word has the same middle letter? A fan B tin C pin Choose A, B or C.
13
PSThe word mop has the middle letter o. Which word has the same middle letter? A hat B pot C cat Choose A, B or C.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Blend three lettersJoin the sounds in order, then say the word
Choose a written wordBlend the letters, then check each choice letter by letter
Blend the first two, then add the lastBlend two letters, then add the last sound at the end
Find the same middle vowelFind the middle letter first

Can you…?

  • I can blend three letters to make a word
  • I can find the picture that matches a blended word
  • I can blend the first two letters and then add the last one
  • I can find a word with the same middle vowel as a model word

Key terms

blend
join the sounds of letters in order to read a word
model word
a word used as an example to help you find another word
middle vowel
the vowel letter in the middle of a CVC word

Exercise 5Z  Check-up

1
Blend the letters: h - u - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
2
Blend these letters: t - i - n. Which word is it? A hat B tin C cat Choose A, B or C.
3
Blend the first two letters: p - e makes pe. Now add the last letter, n. Which word is it? A pen B map C hen Choose A, B or C.
4
The word bed has the middle letter e. Which word has the same middle letter? A pen B bus C mop Choose A, B or C.
5
Read the word: bus. Does the picture show bus? Answer yes or no.
6
Blend the letters: m - o - p. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
7
Blend these letters: r - u - g. Which word is it? A rug B cat C hat Choose A, B or C.
8
Blend the first two letters: f - a makes fa. Now add the last letter, n. Which word is it? A fan B hen C rug Choose A, B or C.
9
The word cup has the middle letter u. Which word has the same middle letter? A dog B pin C mug Choose A, B or C.
10
Read the word: dog. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC

Total 10 marks. Allow about 10 minutes.

Exercise 5X  Practice test questions

1
FBlend the letters: n - e - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
ABC
2
FBlend these letters: m - u - g. Which word is it? A cat B hat C mug Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
3
FBlend the first two letters: p - i makes pi. Now add the last letter, g. Which word is it? A pig B map C hat Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
4
PSThe word dog has the middle letter o. Which word has the same middle letter? A bed B pot C hut Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
5
FRead the word: bug. Does the picture show bug? Answer yes or no.[1 mark]
6
FBlend the letters: p - a - n. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
ABC
7
FBlend these letters: b - e - d. Which word is it? A hat B bed C cat Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
8
FBlend the first two letters: p - o makes po. Now add the last letter, t. Which word is it? A cup B pot C hat Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
9
PSThe word hat has the middle letter a. Which word has the same middle letter? A cup B leg C fan Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
10
FRead the word: hen. Does the picture show hen? Answer yes or no.[1 mark]
← Chapter 4: Simple CVC wordsChapter 6: Segmenting and spelling short words →

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