Grade: Grade 1 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Phonics Patterns Lesson: 4 of 6 SAT: StandardEnglishConventions ACT: English

Writing Application

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In this lesson, you will use what you know about phonics patterns to write your own words and sentences. When you can spell words using sounds, you become a better writer!

Spelling CVC Words

To spell a CVC word, say the word slowly and listen for each sound:

  • cat: /c/ - /a/ - /t/ = c-a-t
  • hop: /h/ - /o/ - /p/ = h-o-p
  • run: /r/ - /u/ - /n/ = r-u-n

Spelling Words with Blends

Blends have two consonant sounds together. Listen for both sounds!

  • Beginning blends: bl, br, cl, cr, dr, fl, fr, gl, gr, pl, pr, sc, sk, sl, sm, sn, sp, st, sw, tr
  • Ending blends: nd, nt, mp, sk, st, lp, lt

Example: To spell "stop":

  1. Say it slowly: /st/ - /o/ - /p/
  2. Write the blend: st
  3. Write the vowel: o
  4. Write the ending: p
  5. Result: stop

Spelling Words with Digraphs

Digraphs make one sound from two letters. Remember these common digraphs:

  • sh = the /sh/ sound (ship, wish, brush)
  • ch = the /ch/ sound (chip, much, lunch)
  • th = the /th/ sound (this, bath, with)
  • wh = the /wh/ sound (when, what, which)
  • ck = the /k/ sound at the end (back, duck, sick)

Example: To spell "fish":

  1. Say it slowly: /f/ - /i/ - /sh/
  2. Write: f-i-sh
  3. Result: fish

Writing Sentences

When you write a sentence:

  1. Start with a capital letter
  2. Use spaces between words
  3. End with a period, question mark, or exclamation point
  4. Sound out each word using what you know about phonics

Examples

Example 1: Writing a CVC Word

Word to write: "pig"

Steps:

  1. Say "pig" slowly: /p/ - /i/ - /g/
  2. What letter makes /p/? = p
  3. What letter makes /i/? = i
  4. What letter makes /g/? = g
  5. Write: pig

Example 2: Writing a Blend Word

Word to write: "drum"

Steps:

  1. Say "drum" slowly: /dr/ - /u/ - /m/
  2. What letters make /dr/? = dr (a blend!)
  3. What letter makes /u/? = u
  4. What letter makes /m/? = m
  5. Write: drum

Example 3: Writing a Digraph Word

Word to write: "chop"

Steps:

  1. Say "chop" slowly: /ch/ - /o/ - /p/
  2. What letters make /ch/? = ch (a digraph!)
  3. What letter makes /o/? = o
  4. What letter makes /p/? = p
  5. Write: chop

Example 4: Writing a Sentence

Sentence to write: "The frog is on the rock."

  1. Start with a capital: The
  2. Sound out each word: The (th digraph), frog (fr blend), is, on, the, rock (ck digraph)
  3. Put spaces between words
  4. End with a period
  5. Result: The frog is on the rock.

Practice

Complete these 10 writing activities. Say each word slowly, then write it.

1. Write the CVC word for this picture clue: An animal that says "meow"

Answer: cat

2. Write the blend word: Something you do in a pool (sw + i + m)

Answer: swim

3. Write the digraph word: A vehicle that sails on water (sh + i + p)

Answer: ship

4. Write the blend word: A flying insect that buzzes (b + u + g? No! Try: b + ee? No! The answer has a blend)

Hint: Think of a word that starts with "fl" and is a tiny bug.

Answer: fly (fl blend) or gnat, or another option: flea

5. Write the digraph word: Something on your face you use to eat (ch digraph at the end?)

Hint: You have a top lip and bottom lip, and below them is your ____.

Answer: chin (ch digraph)

6. Write a sentence using the word "black".

Remember: capital letter at the start, period at the end!

Example: The black cat ran fast.

7. Write a sentence using the word "fish".

Example: I have a pet fish.

8. Fill in the missing letters to complete these words:

  • ___ess (a word meaning "untidy") = m-e-ss
  • ___ip (a word meaning "a boat") = sh-i-p
  • ___op (a word meaning "to cease") = st-o-p

Answers: mess, ship, stop

9. Write three words that end with the "ck" digraph.

Examples: back, duck, sock, rock, lick, kick, pack, pick

10. Write a 2-3 sentence story using at least 3 phonics pattern words (blends or digraphs).

Example phonics words you could use: frog, ship, splash, black, green, that, when, swim, brush, chip

Example: The frog sat on a green rock. Splash! It jumped into the pond. That was fun to see.

Check Your Understanding

Answer these questions to see what you have learned.

  1. How do you spell a CVC word? What steps do you follow?
  2. What is a blend? Give an example of a word with a blend.
  3. What is a digraph? Give an example of a word with a digraph.
  4. What three things does every sentence need? (Think about the beginning and ending!)
  5. If you do not know how to spell a word, what can you do?

Next Steps

  • Keep a list of phonics pattern words you learn
  • Practice writing sentences every day
  • When you are not sure how to spell, sound it out!
  • Move on to the next lesson: Editing Workshop