Sound It Out: Learning Consonant Blends!

English Language Arts Grades 1st Grade 3:42 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn about consonant blends like bl, gl, cl, pl, fl, and sl. We'll practice hearing and saying these sounds in words.

Video Resource

6 Consonant Blends: bl, gl, cl, pl, fl, and sl

Miacademy Learning Channel

Duration: 3:42
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Consonant blends are two or more consonants that are blended together.
  • Each consonant in a blend keeps its own sound.
  • Blends can be found at the beginning of words.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the sounds of the consonant blends bl, gl, cl, pl, fl, and sl.
  • Students will be able to pronounce words containing the consonant blends bl, gl, cl, pl, fl, and sl.
  • Students will be able to generate words containing the consonant blends bl, gl, cl, pl, fl, and sl.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by reviewing what consonants are. Then, introduce the idea of consonant blends as two consonants making a sound together. Briefly explain that the video will teach them about bl, gl, cl, pl, fl, and sl blends.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the Miacademy Learning Channel video: "6 Consonant Blends: bl, gl, cl, pl, fl, and sl". Encourage students to listen carefully to the sounds each blend makes and the example words.
  • Blend Sound Practice (10 mins)
    Go through each blend (bl, gl, cl, pl, fl, sl) one at a time. Say the blend sound and ask the students to repeat it. Then, say the example words from the video. Ask students to repeat the words after you. Encourage them to listen closely to the blend at the beginning of each word.
  • Word Generation (10 mins)
    For each blend, ask students to think of other words that begin with that blend. Write the words on the board as students suggest them. If they have trouble, provide a hint or start the word for them.
  • Blend Chart Activity (8 mins)
    Have students create a chart on a piece of paper. Divide the chart into six sections, one for each blend (bl, gl, cl, pl, fl, sl). Have them write 2-3 words they know for each blend in the corresponding section. This can be done independently or in small groups.

Interactive Exercises

  • Blend Sound Sorting
    Prepare index cards with pictures of words containing the target blends (e.g., block, glass, clip, plate, flag, sled). Have students sort the cards into piles based on the beginning consonant blend sound.
  • I Spy Blend Words
    Play 'I Spy' but focus on items that begin with the target consonant blends. For example: 'I spy something that starts with 'cl' and is used to keep papers together.' (Clip)

Discussion Questions

  • What is a consonant blend?
  • Can you think of a word that starts with the 'fl' blend?
  • Why do you think it's important to learn about consonant blends?

Skills Developed

  • Phonological awareness
  • Decoding skills
  • Vocabulary building
  • Active listening

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which word starts with the 'bl' blend?

Correct Answer: Blue

Question 2:

What sound does 'gl' make?

Correct Answer: /gl/

Question 3:

Which of these is NOT a consonant blend?

Correct Answer: at

Question 4:

Which word starts with the 'pl' blend?

Correct Answer: Plan

Question 5:

What sound does 'fl' make?

Correct Answer: /fl/

Question 6:

Which word starts with the 'cl' blend?

Correct Answer: Clock

Question 7:

Which blend is in the word 'glass'?

Correct Answer: gl

Question 8:

What sound does 'sl' make?

Correct Answer: /sl/

Question 9:

Which word contains a consonant blend?

Correct Answer: Flag

Question 10:

Which blend sounds like you are gliding on ice?

Correct Answer: sl

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The blend '____' is in the word 'black'.

Correct Answer: bl

Question 2:

The blend '____' is in the word 'glue'.

Correct Answer: gl

Question 3:

The blend '____' is in the word 'clip'.

Correct Answer: cl

Question 4:

The blend '____' is in the word 'place'.

Correct Answer: pl

Question 5:

The blend '____' is in the word 'flag'.

Correct Answer: fl

Question 6:

The blend '____' is in the word 'slide'.

Correct Answer: sl

Question 7:

'____' makes the sound /gl/.

Correct Answer: gl

Question 8:

'____' makes the sound /pl/.

Correct Answer: pl

Question 9:

'____' makes the sound /cl/.

Correct Answer: cl

Question 10:

A consonant _____ is when two or more consonants are read together

Correct Answer: blend

Educational Standards

1.2.PA.4:Students will blend phonemes to form spoken words with 4-6 phonemes, including consonant blends (e.g., /s/ /t/ /r/ /i/ /ng/ = string). 1.2.PWS.1:Students will blend and decode two-phoneme and three-phoneme words. 1.2.F.2:Students will read grade-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression. 1.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon discussion rules.

Teaching Materials

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