Lesson 32
qu /kw/
The grapheme Q followed by U spells /kw/
In English, the letter Q is consistently paired with the letter U. The letter combination QU represents the combination of two sounds /k/ and /w/. Like X, this is treated differently in the lesson, and you will see two different notations: /kw/ and /k/ /w/. This is intentional. Blending skills are used for decoding; segmenting skills are used for encoding. Because the grapheme Q represents the combination of two sounds, /k/ and /w/, it is not included on the sound wall.
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.
New Concept
Today we learn that the letters Q and U team up to spell /kw/, like at the beginning of queen.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
This is the letter Q. Q is a consonant. In English words, Q is followed by a U. QU spells /kw/ like in the beginning of the word . QU comes at the beginning of a word, such as the words and .
Letter formation: Q
Review Q: Start at the top. Curve this way (counterclockwise). Go all the way around. Stop at the top. Jump to the bottom (in the middle). Slant a line down this way (left to right).
Letter formation: q
Introduce q: Begin at the middle line. Start at the top. Curve all the way around. Straight line down below the line. Curve up this way (left to right).
How our mouth moves
Q and U almost always go together, so when we make the sounds, they sound like a /k/ and a /w/ (be sure to model the /w/ as a tight /ooo/). So, you'll round your lips tight and raise your tongue up in the back like this...(model /kw/—be sure to model as a very tight /kooo/, not as /kwuh/). Be sure your voice is on when you make the /kw/ sound. Watch me /kw/. You try /kw/.