Beginning Sounds
The beginning sound is the sound we hear at the start of a word. Listening for this sound can help us identify words and connect them with the letters that represent their sounds.
For example, the word sun begins with the sound represented by the letter s.
Learning Objectives
- Understand what a beginning sound is.
- Listen for the first sound in a word.
- Identify the letter connected with a beginning sound.
- Compare beginning sounds in simple words.
Finding the Beginning Sound
Say a word slowly and listen carefully to the sound you hear first. That is the beginning sound.
The word sun begins with the sound represented by s.
The word map begins with the sound represented by m.
Same Beginning Sound
Two different words can begin with the same sound.
Both words begin with the same common sound.
The rest of the words may be different even when their beginning sounds are the same.
Different Beginning Sounds
Some words begin with different sounds.
Sun and cat begin with different sounds.
Examples
- ball → /b/
- fish → /f/
- goat → /g/
- moon → /m/
- rain → /r/
- sun → /s/
- top → /t/
Common Mistakes
- Do not choose the last sound when asked for the beginning sound.
- Listen to the whole word before answering.
- Do not choose a letter only because it appears somewhere else in the word.
Practice
1. What is the beginning sound in sun?
2. What is the beginning sound in map?
3. Which word begins with /b/: ball or sun?
4. Do moon and map have the same beginning sound?
Try It Yourself
Find five objects around you. Say each object's name aloud and listen carefully to its first sound. Write the letter that represents that sound when you can.
Quick Revision
- The beginning sound is heard at the start of a word.
- Different words can have the same beginning sound.
- Listening carefully helps us identify beginning sounds.
Next Step
After learning beginning sounds, the next lesson will focus on the sounds we hear at the end of words.