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Lesson 118

Alternate ch, gn, gh, silent t

Less common letter-sound patterns: alternate CH, GN, GH, and silent T

The sound CH represents is dictated by the origin of the word. CH as /ch/ is of English origin, CH as /k/ is of Greek origin, and CH as /sh/ is of French origin. The high frequency word 'often' can be pronounced with or without the /t/.

Today's plan

about 15 min
  1. Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
  2. Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
  3. Step 4Blending drill3 min
  4. Step 5New concept + read/spell6 min
Step 1

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)

/n/ · /ō/ · /m/gnome
/n/ · /ă/ · /t/gnat
/sh/ · /e/ · /f/chef

Break it (I say word → you say sounds)

Steps 2 & 3

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.

Step 4

Blending Drill

Change one part at a time and read the new word.

Step 5

New Concept

Today we will learn some less common letter-sound patterns: CH can spell /sh/ or /k/, GN spells /n/, GH spells /g/, and T can be silent.

Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.

Today we will learn some less common letter-sound patterns. These patterns only happen in a few words. CH /sh/, /k/: We know CH spells /ch/ as in . CH can also spell /sh/ as in and /k/ as in . GN /n/: We know /n/ can be spelled KN at the beginning of a word as in . GN also spells /n/ at the beginning of a word like gnat or at the end of a word like reign. GH /g/: GH spells /g/ at the beginning of a word like ghost. Silent T: T is sometimes silent in the middle of a two-syllable word with the letter patterns STEN and STLE such as the words and .

ch /sh/, /k/

CH can spell /sh/ as in or /k/ as in , addition to the more common /ch/ as in .

gn /n/

GN spells /n/ at the beginning of a word (gnat) or at the end of a word (reign).

gh /g/

GH spells /g/ at the beginning of a word like ghost.

silent t

T is sometimes silent in the middle of a two-syllable word with STEN and STLE, such as and .

How our mouth moves

Review articulatory gestures for /sh/, /k/, /n/, and /g/, as needed.

Sound wall

Add 'ch' under /k/ and under /sh/. Add 'gn' under /n/. Add 'gh' under /g/.

Open the digital sound wall →