STEP SIX: Blend Sounds to Decode Words.
(This step does not begin until the second lesson.)
The video clips linked below are from the computer lab teacher and illustrate a possible routine you could use to have your learner begin blending vowels with consonants to make words. Once you have the routine down pat, you can turn down the sound or pause the video to work with your child. Another idea is to introduce letter-sound associations in the same order as the cards and have your child learn to read each word as s/he learns the corresponding sounds
Begin having your learner blend vowels and consonants to read words, as you saw demonstrate in the second HeadSprout video clip. Again, you can use your computer's word processing program to create whatever materials you need, but don't forget to make the letters bright and fun. (At TrintyTutors Virtual Acadmy, our favorite font for beginning readers is Century Gothic Bold at least 48pt in size.)
NOTE TO SELF: Starfall.com has this blending machine, if the others are accessible.
More from the Computer Lab Teacher on the art of blending (We do not use sound spelling cards unless it becomes absolutely necessary.)
