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Students learn to recognize individual letter sounds and how they come together to start a word.
What if you were a detective who could unlock any secret message? Every word is a hidden code, and the letters are the keys that make special sounds!
Every letter in the alphabet has its own special voice! We call these individual sounds phonemes. Just like instruments in an orchestra, letters make different noises. For example, the letter B makes a short, popping sound like /b/ for 'ball.' The letter S makes a long, hissing sound like /s/ for 'snake.' When we learn these 26 sounds, we can start to build words. Think of letters as the building blocks of every story you have ever heard!
Let's try the very first letter! 1. Look at the letter A. 2. Open your mouth wide like you are about to take a bite of a snack. 3. Say the sound /a/ as in Apple. 4. Notice how your throat feels when you make the sound!
Quick Check
What sound does the letter 'M' make when you think of something yummy to eat?
Answer
The letter M makes the /m/ sound.
Most words have a beginning sound. This is the very first 'puff' of air or noise you make when you start to speak. If you want to say the word Dog, your tongue taps the top of your mouth to make the /d/ sound first. Finding the beginning sound is like finding the front of a train. Once you know the first sound, it is much easier to guess what the rest of the word might be!
Let's find the beginning sound of 'Sun': 1. Say the word Sun very slowly: 'S-u-n.' 2. Listen to the very first sound that comes out of your mouth. 3. It is the hissing /s/ sound! 4. Now try it with Moon. The first sound is /m/.
Quick Check
What is the beginning sound of the word 'Fish'?
Answer
The beginning sound is /f/.
Letters belong to two different teams. The first team is the Vowels. There are only 5 main vowels: A, E, I, O, and U. These are 'open' sounds because your breath flows out without your teeth or lips stopping it. The second team is the Consonants. These are all the other letters, like B, C, D, and F. To make a consonant sound, you usually have to use your lips, teeth, or tongue to 'catch' the air or pop it out!
Let's see the difference between the two teams: 1. Say the vowel sound /o/ like in 'Octopus.' Your mouth stays open like a circle! 2. Now try to say the consonant sound /p/ like in 'Popcorn.' 3. Notice how your lips have to close and then 'pop' open to make the /p/ sound. 4. Vowels stay open, but consonants like to close!
Which letter makes the sound /t/ like a ticking clock?
What is the beginning sound of the word 'Bear'?
The letter 'A' is a vowel.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, look around your kitchen. Can you find three things that start with the /k/ sound (like 'Cup' or 'Cookie')?
Practice Activity
Play 'I Spy' with a friend! Say, 'I spy with my little eye, something that starts with the sound /p/,' and see if they can find it.