Lesson 11
Nasalized A
When M or N come after A, the A makes a whiny sound
This lesson focuses on the nasalized version of short /ă/. When the letter N or M follows A, the /ă/ becomes nasalized and makes a slightly different sound than the typical short /ă/ (e.g., can vs. cat). Students can now decode the word 'an.' The words 'a' and 'an' are indefinite articles. The word 'a' is used before a word beginning with a consonant sound while 'an' is used before a word beginning with a vowel sound (e.g., a bat, an apple). Instruction about when to use 'a' and 'an' should be introduced separately when appropriate.
Today's plan
about 15 min- Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
- Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
- Step 4Blending drill3 min
- Step 5New concept + read/spell6 min
Warm Up Our Ears
Say the sounds; students blend them into a word. Then say a word; students break it apart.
Blend it (teacher says sounds → you say word)
Break it (I say word → you say sounds)
Flashcard Drills
Full-screen cards for the class. Tap a card to check the answer, or press Hear the words to hear the example words read aloud.
Blending Drill
Change one part at a time and read the new word.
Initial
f s
Middle
n t i
Final
p f
+
a n p t
New Concept
Today we learn that A sounds a little whiny/different when M or N comes right after it, like in am and an.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
am: We learned that letter A spells /ă/. Something tricky happens to this sound when M comes after A. The M makes the A sound kind of whiny like this: am. You try: am. The whiny am sound is in the names Sam and Pam. The am sound is also a word we see in many texts, like in the sentence "I am Sam." an: The same tricky thing happens when N comes after A. The N makes the A sound kind of whiny like this: an. You try: an. The whiny an sound is in the words and . The an sound is also a word we see in many texts, like in the sentence "I eat an apple."
Letter formation
Practice letter formation as needed to warm up for spelling.
How our mouth moves
When you put an /m/ or /n/ sound after an /ă/ sound, it makes it sound different. Listen (model a nasalized /ă/ - am, an). It sounds a little whiny, doesn't it? You have to remember when you hear that whiny /ă/, there's probably a /m/ or /n/ right after it.