Tackling CVC words is kind of a push and pull. Students need both blending and segmenting skills when reading and spelling CVC words. With segmenting, students pull apart individual sounds in words such as in sat: /s/ /a/ /t/. With blending, students push sounds together to build words, such as in /m/ /a/ /t/ = mat. Both are essential and you’ll want to give kids plenty of practice of both.
Introduce these concepts by having students listen for sounds. Say, “I see a mug,’ what’s the first sound you hear in the word mug.” Once students can identify the initial sound, you can work on the end and then middle sounds. This is a great, simple practice activity for CVC words.
Fun with blending and segmenting
When children are able to identify the initial sound, move on to try the end and middle sounds. Again, sun is good to use as you can hold the final sound to emphasize it. Other words to try include sat, sit, mat, man, map, nap. Think of short 3-letter words that have a consonant, vowel and consonant (CVC).
From here, try ‘eye-spy’. Point out an object in the classroom, saying, “I spy a mmmm-aaa-p.” Have students blend the sounds together to make the word. Once students understand, you can have them practice segmenting by letting them choose the thing that gets spied.
Students can also get practice blending and segmenting by using tools like:
- Playdough mats – Students make letters of play dough and say the sound as they put them on the play mat. Students segment the sounds again as they write it on the mat. Then they blend the sounds together to say the full word.
- CVC Cootie Catchers – My students love playing with cootie catchers or fortune tellers. As they manipulate the cootie catcher, they will encounter different CVC words. They segment the sounds and then blend them to form the word.
- CVC Puzzles – Use an image related to a CVC word with the word printed below it, for example, BUS. Cut the image into strips. Students have to reassemble the word. The image will help them put the word together correctly. Encourage students to segment the sounds as they put the pieces together. Then have them blend, or push the sounds together, to say the full word.
- Read and Write – Students start by reading the CVC word. Then, during the writing part, they practice blending and segmenting. First, they underline each sound in the word as they say it. Then they segment again, saying each sound as they write it in its own square. Then they write the whole word and blend the sounds together to read it again.
There are so many other ways to give kids practice with blending and segmenting to build fluency with CVC words. Use activities like Draw the Word, Matching, Finish the Sentence, Fluency Boards, games like Bingo and 4-in-a-Row to help keep kids engaged.
Blending and segmenting + additional CVC word practice made easy
All of the blending and segmenting activities above plus many more options to help kids practice CVC words are available in a done-for-you format. All you have to do is print and use. I do recommend printing some on cardstock and laminating if you can (they’ll be sturdier to withstand heavy use).
You get:
- Ten different packs of CVC worksheets and activities;
- Easy to follow information and instructions;
- Games and activities to help your students develop the fundamental skills of blending, segmenting and phoneme manipulation;
- A range of individual, small group and whole-class activities; and
- 800+ worksheets and games to assist in consolidating the learning of the phonics sounds.
Use them for independent work, in your literacy station, to provide practice for individuals or small groups, or send them as home practice for consolidation of skills.
Get your ready to print CVC Word Worksheets here >> https://topnotchteaching.com/downloads/cvc-words-worksheets/
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