Lesson 28
w /w/
The grapheme W spells /w/
At this point, W is only being introduced as the initial /w/ sound in short words. When W follows a vowel letter, it forms a vowel team: AW, EW, OW. These concepts are introduced in Lessons 86, 91, 93, 96, and 115. When reading and spelling words with consonant clusters, students should be able to hear and produce each sound. Students do not need to memorize the consonants with which W can blend. Pay close attention to the pronunciation of the /w/. Although it is often treated as a stop sound and pronounced /wuh/, that pronunciation is very difficult to blend. Students will find it much easier to blend if the sound you model is continuous (as in the sound before the /i/ in the word 'wish').
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
b f h
l r sl
bl fl pl
Middle
e
i
Final
d t lt
ld lp
+
New Concept
Today we learn the letter W and the sound /w/ like in watermelon.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
This is the letter W. W is a consonant. W spells /w/ like in the beginning of the word . The letter W only spells /w/ at the beginning of a word, such as the words and . We sometimes see the letter W after the letters S and T. This happens at the beginning of words like in the words and .
Letter formation: W
Review W: Start at the top. Slant line down to the bottom. Slant line up to the top. Slant line down to the bottom again. Slant line up to the top.
Letter formation: w
Introduce w: Begin at the middle line. Start at the top. Slant line down to the bottom. Slant line up to the top. Slant line down to the bottom again. Slant line up to the top.
How our mouth moves
To make the /w/ sound, round your lips tight like this...(model), and turn your voice on. The /w/ sound is a continuous sound that can be stretched out (use continuous hand motion). Watch me /w/. You try /w/. Be sure to model the /w/ as a very tight /ooo/, not as /wuh/.
Sound wall
Add grapheme card 'w' to the consonant grid under the /w/ picture card.
Open the digital sound wall →