Matching Letters and Sounds
When we learn to read, we need to connect the letters we see with the sounds we hear. This connection helps us work out simple words.
For example, when we see the letter m at the beginning of map, we can connect it with its common sound.
Learning Objectives
- Match familiar letters with their common sounds.
- Use letter-sound knowledge to read simple words.
- Identify missing beginning or ending letters.
- Use sounds to check simple word spellings.
Matching a Letter to a Sound
We can start with a sound and think of the letter that commonly represents it.
Each letter is connected with a common sound.
Matching a Sound to a Word
We can also use the first sound to help identify a word.
The word map begins with the sound represented by m.
Finding a Missing Letter
Knowing letter sounds can help us find a missing letter in a simple word.
The missing beginning letter is c.
The missing ending letter is t.
Building Simple Words
We can use individual sounds to help build a simple word.
The letters and their sounds work together to help us read the word cat.
Common Mistakes
- Do not choose a letter without listening to the sound.
- Check the whole word when filling in a missing letter.
- Remember that some letters can represent more than one sound in English.
Practice
1. Which letter commonly represents /m/?
2. Complete the word: _at → cat.
3. Complete the word: do_ → dog.
4. Which word begins with /s/: sun or map?
5. What letters make the simple word cat?
Try It Yourself
Ask someone to say a simple word such as map, sun, pen or dog. Say the sounds you hear and identify the letters that represent them.
Quick Revision
- Letters can be connected with sounds.
- Letter-sound knowledge helps us read simple words.
- We can use sounds to find missing letters.
- Putting letters and sounds together helps us read words.
Next Step
The final lesson in this chapter will bring these skills together by practising how to listen carefully for sounds in spoken words.