Sam the Skunk: A Consonant Blends Book for Emergent Readers (Consonant Blends Books for Emergent Readers)

By Deborah Austell and Dovie Funk

Introducing BLENDS: The Next Step After readers have mastered CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words and digraphs (like sh, ch, th, wh, ck ), we are ready to introduce blends --an important skill that will help your child become a more confident and fluent reader. What Are Blends? Blends are two or more consonants that come together in a word, and each letter keeps its own sound. For example, in the word frog , you can hear the f and r in the blend fr . Common blends include bl, cl, st, gr, sp , and tr . Unlike digraphs, where letters make one sound (such as th in thin ), blends help students learn to smoothly combine sounds while still hearing each one. Why Is This Progression Important? The Science of Teaching Reading emphasizes a structured and systematic approach to building reading skills. We start with CVC words to build a strong foundation in decoding simple words. Then, we introduce digraphs to expand their ability to recognize new sounds. Now, blends will help students increase their fluency, build confidence, and tackle longer words . This step-by-step approach ensures that students develop the skills they need to become independent readers. How Can You Support Your Reader? Practice blending sounds : Say a blend (e.g., st ), then add a vowel and ending sound to form a word ( st-op ). Spot blends in everyday reading : Look for words with blends in books, signs, or labels. Play word games : Try rhyming games or have your child sort words by their beginning blends. Encourage sounding out : If your child gets stuck on a word with a blend, remind them to break it into smaller parts.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F5QQW9LH
• ISBN13: 9798280501737
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 37 Pages
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.1" x 8.3"