A.2 Listen and spell words with three-letter consonant blends
What are three-letter consonant blends?
A three-letter consonant blend is a group of three consonant letters at the beginning of a word. When you say the word, you hear each consonant sound blended together smoothly.
- spr as in spring
- str as in string
- scr as in scrub
A blend is not a new sound. It is two or three consonant sounds said quickly together. Each letter keeps its own sound.
How to listen for blends
To identify a three-letter blend, say the word slowly. Listen carefully to the beginning sounds. Can you hear three separate consonant sounds before the vowel?
- Say "splash": /s/ /p/ /l/ - spl
- Say "throw": /th/ /r/ - This is a two-letter blend. Throw does not have a three-letter blend.
- Say "street": /s/ /t/ /r/ - str
Touch your throat or lips as you say the blend. You will feel your mouth move for each consonant sound.
Common three-letter consonant blends
These blends often appear at the start of words. Knowing them helps you read and spell new words correctly.
- scr: scrape, screen, scream
- spr: spray, spread, sprint
- str: strong, stripe, stretch
- spl: splice, splendid, splint
- squ: square, squash, squeak (Note: 'qu' makes the /kw/ sound)
The blend squ is special because 'q' is almost always followed by 'u'. Together, 'qu' makes a blended sound.
Spelling words with blends
When spelling, listen for the three beginning sounds. Write the three consonant letters that match those sounds, then add the rest of the word.
- 1. Listen: What word do you hear? (e.g., "scratch")
- 2. Identify: Say the blend slowly. (/s/ /k/ /r/)
- 3. Spell: Write the letters for those sounds: scr
- 4. Complete: Finish spelling the word: scratch.
Be careful not to add extra vowel sounds between the consonants. "S-c-r-a-tch" is correct, not "su-c-ru-atch."
Using blend words in sentences
Reading and writing full sentences helps you master these blends. Pay attention to how they start the words.
- The sprinkler makes the grass strong and green.
- I scrubbed the splotch on the stripe.
- A squirrel ran across the street.
Good readers look for familiar blends to help them break down longer words into easier parts.