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.”
