Blending Sounds to Read Words
Apply phonic knowledge to blend sounds in unfamiliar words containing taught grapheme-phoneme correspondences; respond speedily to graphemes for all 40+ phonemes
Suggested ages 4–7
Evidence of understanding
- Sound out and blend unfamiliar phonically regular words (e.g. /sh/-/o/-/p/ → 'shop')
- Read words containing taught GPCs without excessive sounding out
- Distinguish between similarly spelled words by identifying differing letter sounds (e.g. 'big' vs 'bag')
Assessment prompt
When Blending Sounds to Read Words comes across a word they haven't seen before, can they sound it out bit by bit and blend the parts together to read it — even if it takes a moment?
Standards alignment
RF.1.3.b
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 1
RF.K.3
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · K
RF.K.3.d
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · K
Revision: Guidance and rules
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 1
Apply phonic knowledge
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key stage 1
Blend sounds
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key stage 1