What the Teacher Needs to Know about Feature B: Initial Consonant Blends and Digraphs (Description pp. 118-120, Word Lists pp. 204, 201-203) Blend Digraph two or three consonant sequences that are blended together, each of the sounds of the letters are pronounced (bl, tr, sh) two letters that represent one sound (th, sh, ch) Whichever way words are studied (digraphs or blends first), it is a good idea to contrast the blend or digraph with its initial consonant counterpart. But, it is not always needed to break every blend or digraph for comparison. Use your students progression as a guide. S-blends are often a good starting point for blends, as their sounds are easier to isolate and stretch. Some other hints for blends: use words that remain words when the blend letter is dropped (Examples: snap/nap, scat/cat, spit/pit, spin/pin, spot/pot, stop/top, stub/tub, brag/rag, clip/lip) a visual that can help is to sketch a picture of a slide and write letters going down to show how to blend the onset and rime. s n a p Hints for digraphs: when working with digraphs, save wh for last it s difficult to hear a difference in sound between w and wh
Feature B Sort 1b sun hat shed ship ham six sand hip shop sheep sun hat shed ship ham six sand hip shop sheep
Feature B Sort 1b s h sh sun hat shed six ham ship sand hip shop sheep Transfer Words: sad, sat, hot, hen, shot, shut
Feature B Sort 2b cup ham chop chin cat chick hat car dream cup ham chop chin cat chick hat car hen
Feature B Sort 2b c h ch cup ham chop cat hat chin car hen chick Transfer Words: cub, cut, had, him, chat, chip
Feature B Sort 3b tag hat thumb ten think ham top thorn hip tub tag hat thumb ten think ham top thorn hip tub
Feature B Sort 3b t h th tag hat thumb tub ham think top hip thorn ten Transfer Words: tan, tap, hit, hop, than, that
Feature B Sort 4b ship check thorn shop chin shed thumb think sheep chop ship check thorn shop chin shed thumb think sheep chop
Feature B Sort 4b sh ch th ship check thorn shop chin thumb shed chop think sheep Transfer Words: shut, shot, chunk, chest, this, that
Feature B Sort 5b web ham whip worm wheel hat watch hop wall whale web ham whip worm wheel hat watch hop wall whale
Feature B Sort 5b w h wh web ham whip worm hat wheel watch hop whale wall Transfer Words: win, wet, had, his, when, whip
Feature B Sort 6b sun tent stop tub stir six star sink stem tag sun tent stop tub stir six star sink stem tag
Feature B Sort 6b s t st sun tent stop six tub stir sink tag star stem Transfer Words: sip, sob, tap, tab, step, stub
Feature B Sort 7b saw pig spin sped pen spit sun spot six pan saw pig spin sped pen spit sun spot six pan
Feature B Sort 7b s p sp saw pig spin sun pen spit six pan sped spot Transfer Words: sag, sap, peg, pit, spun, spam
Feature B Sort 8b stir spot ski snow snap star spin stamp skip stop stir spot ski snow snap star spin stamp skip stop
Feature B Sort 8b st sp sk sn stir spot ski snow star spin skip snap stop stamp Transfer Words: stem, sped, skin, snip
Feature B Sort 9b scarf smell sled swan swim smoke smile swing scale sleep scarf smell sled swan swim smoke smile swing scale sleep
Feature B Sort 9b sc sm sl sw scarf smell sled swan scale smile sleep swim smoke swing Transfer Words: scab, smog, slap, swan
Feature B Sort 10b sled flag plant fly plus sleep plug float plum slide sled flag plant fly plus sleep plug float plum slide
Feature B Sort 10b sl fl pl sled flag plant sleep fly plus slide float plug plum Transfer Words: slap, slid, flat, flip, plan, plot
Feature B Sort 11b block clip flag glue blade climb clock fly clap globe block clip flag glue blade climb clock fly clap globe
Feature B Sort 11b bl cl fl gl block clip flag glue blade clock fly globe climb clap Transfer Words: blank, clog, flat, glad
Feature B Sort 12b clip flag frog crab crib clap fry fly frame cry clip flag frog crab crib clap fry fly frame cry
Feature B Sort 12b cl fl fr cr clip flag frog crab clap fly fry crib frame cry Transfer Words: clod, flip, from, crop
Feature B Sort 13b crack brick grill pray grass price bride grapes crab broom crack brick grill pray grass price bride grapes crab broom
Feature B Sort 13b cr br gr pr crack brick grill pray crab bride grass price broom grapes Transfer Words: crust, brag, grab, prom
Feature B Sort 14b dog ring drill rug drum desk dress dish drip rake dog ring drill rug drum desk dress dish drip rake
Feature B Sort 14b d r dr dog ring drill desk rug drum dish rake dress drip Transfer Words: dust, dent, rush, rest, drag, drop
Feature B Sort 15b tent rug trap ring trunk tag ten truck roof tree tent rug trap ring trunk tag ten truck roof tree
Feature B Sort 15b t r tr tent rug trap tag ring trunk ten roof truck tree Transfer Words: test, tank, risk, rent, trip, trot
Feature B Sort 16b drum trap brush grass drill brick drip trunk grill truck drum trap brush grass drill brick drip trunk grill truck
Feature B Sort 16b dr tr br gr drum trap brush grass drill trunk brick grill drip truck Transfer Words: drank, trot, brag, grip