Consonants

Learning Objectives

Identify consonant sounds in words in order to improve pronunciation

Consonants– letters representing speech sounds in which the breath is at least partly obstructed by closed lips, teeth or tongue position

lips tongue/teeth throat
b d g
f l h
m n k
p s
r t
w z

 

Consonant Blends-two or more consonants blended together, and each sound may be heard in the blend

L Blends R Blends Other Blends
bl blend, able br braid, abrasive sk ski, ask
cl clean, uncle cr acre, crate sm small, osmosis
fl float, reflect dr drive, hydro sp spy, crisper
gl glow, angle fr frozen, confront st stop, pastor
pl play, apple gr green, degree spl split, transplant
sl slow, asleep pr pray, upright sw swing, beeswax
tr tree, atrium spr spread, disprove
str strike, destroy

 

Consonant digraphs– two consonants together that represent a single sound

ch chair, reach
ck stick
gh laugh
kn know
mb comb
ph phone, graph
sh shut, rash
th think, booth
wh when, meanwhile
wr write, awry

 

tips for teaching

Plosives (“stops”)-formed when the air is stopped at a particular point in the mouth and then suddenly released.

Examples: p, b, t, d, k, g.

 

Fricatives-formed when the air passes through a narrow gap causing friction.

Examples: f, v, th, s, z, sh, h

 

Nasals- sounds vibrating through the nasal cavity.

Examples: m, n

 

Semi-vowels-sometimes work as vowels and sometimes as consonants.

Examples: w, y,”

 

Affricates- the sounds at the beginning of “cheese” and “joke.”

 

Liquids and laterals-the sounds “l” and “r.”