Part 1 – Introduction of 12 new letter sounds
Part 1 – Introduction of 12 new letter sounds
The next 12 letter sounds are taught. Guidance about teaching the digraphs and coping with the <oo> is provided. Phrases are now introduced, as well as words.
Transcript
Print TranscriptPart 1: Introducing 12 new letter sounds
The teaching in Step 2 is really very similar to Step 1. This time the aim is for every child to:
- learn 12 new letter sounds, as well as revising the previous 18,
- write the letters for the 12 new letter sounds, forming them correctly,
- blend words that use the new and previous letter sounds,
- write words that use the new and previous letter sounds,
- and progress from reading words to reading phrases.
Many of the new letter sounds in Step 2 are digraphs. Most English-speaking adults are familiar with the single letter sounds, but they may not be quite so sure of the sounds linked to the digraphs. Remember: a digraph is made up of two letters that are needed to represent one spoken sound. The 12 new letter sounds are:
- Group 4: /ai/ rain /j/ jet /oa/ goat /ie/ pie /ee/ feet /or/ born
- Group 5: /z/ zip /w/ wind /ng/ song /v/ van /oo/ book /oo/ moon
The ‹oo› as you can see, is written in two sizes; this is to show that it has two sounds: the /oo/ sound found in words like foot, good and cook, and the /oo/ sound found in words like zoo, soon and hoop. When the children come to a word like this, the ‹oo› will not appear in one of the two sizes, so they have to use the technique If one way does not work, try the other way. So if /oo/ does not work, try /oo/ [demonstration].
This is not a problem for most English-speaking children. However, a child who does not have that word in their spoken vocabulary will need to be told how to pronounce it and what it means. It is also worth mentioning that in some accents ‹oo› is only pronounced with the /oo/ sound, so the children will say /look/ and /book/, not /look/ and /book/. Children adjust easily to the pronunciation that is used in their own area or country and it is hardly ever a problem.
Up until this point, the children have been taught to say /a/ when they see ‹a› and /i/ for ‹i›. Now they need to know that when ‹a› and ‹i› are next to each other, they do not say /a-i/; they say the sound /ai/ that is found in words like nail, laid, sail and pain.
Blending words with digraphs is usually easy for the children who are already able to blend words with the single letter sounds. All that is needed is plenty of practice, which improves their ability to blend words, helps them to remember the letter sounds, and also brings fluency to the task, whether the words are written on the board in the classroom, in a list on paper, or on bits of card [demonstration].
Each new letter sound needs teaching in a similar way to Step 1. At this stage the children can also start to read simple phrases, such as a hot dog. The children will read the word a as /a/, but in reality the word usually gets swallowed and is pronounced more like /uh/ [demonstration]. A little guidance will sort this out and ensure that the children’s reading sounds natural and similar to their spoken language.
The next 12 letter sounds taught in Step 2 are provided. They can be used as flash cards to help the children remember the sounds linked to the letters or for word building.
The next 12 letter sounds taught in Step 2 are provided. They can be used as flash cards to help the children remember the sounds linked to the letters or for word building.
On these sheets the children are able to practise forming the next 12 letters correctly by following the dots.
On these sheets the children are able to practise forming the next 12 letters correctly by following the dots.
On these sheets the children are able to practice forming the next 12 letters correctly by following the dots.
On these sheets the children are able to practice forming the next 12 letters correctly by following the dots.
The words from the Step 2 Word Bank can be printed on coloured card, cut up and used for blending practice. As each new letter sound is taught then more words become available for blending.
The words from the Step 2 Word Bank can be printed on colored card, cut up and used for blending practice. As each new letter sound is taught then more words become available for blending.
The Step 2 phrases can be printed on card, cut up and used for reading practice. This is a little more challenging than reading single words. It helps to prepare the children for reading sentences.
The Step 2 phrases can be printed on card, cut up and used for reading practice. This is a little more challenging than reading single words. It helps to prepare the children for reading sentences.
The Step 2 phrases can be printed on card, cut up and used for reading practice. This is a little more challenging than reading single words. It helps to prepare the children for reading sentences
The Step 2 phrases can be printed on card, cut up and used for reading practice. This is a little more challenging than reading single words. It helps to prepare the children for reading sentences.
The next 12 letter sounds taught in Step 2 are provided. They can be used as flash cards to help the children remember the sounds linked to the letters or for word building.
The next 12 letter sounds taught in Step 2 are provided. They can be used as flash cards to help the children remember the sounds linked to the letters or for word building.
On these sheets the children are able to practise forming the next 12 letters correctly by following the dots.
On these sheets the children are able to practise forming the next 12 letters correctly by following the dots.
On these sheets the children are able to practice forming the next 12 letters correctly by following the dots.
On these sheets the children are able to practice forming the next 12 letters correctly by following the dots.
The words from the Step 2 Word Bank can be printed on coloured card, cut up and used for blending practice. As each new letter sound is taught then more words become available for blending.
The words from the Step 2 Word Bank can be printed on colored card, cut up and used for blending practice. As each new letter sound is taught then more words become available for blending.
The Step 2 phrases can be printed on card, cut up and used for reading practice. This is a little more challenging than reading single words. It helps to prepare the children for reading sentences.
The Step 2 phrases can be printed on card, cut up and used for reading practice. This is a little more challenging than reading single words. It helps to prepare the children for reading sentences.
The Step 2 phrases can be printed on card, cut up and used for reading practice. This is a little more challenging than reading single words. It helps to prepare the children for reading sentences
The Step 2 phrases can be printed on card, cut up and used for reading practice. This is a little more challenging than reading single words. It helps to prepare the children for reading sentences.
These words have been carefully selected. The children should be able to spell the dictated words correctly by listening for the sounds in the words and writing letters to represent the sounds. The words build up progressively until all 12 letter sounds are used.
These words have been carefully selected. The children should be able to spell the dictated words correctly by listening for the sounds in the words and writing letters to represent the sounds. The words build up progressively until all 12 letter sounds are used.
These words have been carefully selected. The children should be able to spell the dictated words correctly by listening for the sounds in the words and writing letters to represent the sounds. The words build up progressively until all 12 letter sounds are used
These words have been carefully selected. The children should be able to spell the dictated words correctly by listening for the sounds in the words and writing letters to represent the sounds. The words build up progressively until all 12 letter sounds are used.