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Lesson 70

dge /j/

The grapheme DGE spells /j/

The -DGE pattern only occurs immediately after a short vowel sound.

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)

/d/ · /ŏ/ · /j/dodge
/b/ · /ă/ · /j/badge
/n/ · /ŭ/ · /j/nudge
/g/ · /r/ · /ŭ/ · /j/grudge
/f/ · /r/ · /ĭ/ · /j/fridge

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 learn that DGE spells /j/ right after a short vowel sound.

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

We have learned that the consonant J spells /j/ like in the word . The consonant G also spells /j/ when it is followed by a silent E, such as the word . The grapheme DGE is another way to spell /j/. DGE is a trigraph, which means it is three letters that make one sound. The trigraph DGE only comes at the end of a word immediately after a short vowel sound, as in words dodge and bridge.

DGE after short vowels

DGE only comes at the end of a word right after a short vowel sound, as in and .

How our mouth moves

Remember, the /j/ sound is a stop sound that can't be stretched out (use stop hand motion). Be sure your voice is on. Watch me /j/. You try /j/. Be sure students do not add a schwa sound after the /j/ sound (i.e., /j/ not /juh/).

Sound wall

Add '_dge' under /j/ picture card (with j and '_ge').

Open the digital sound wall →