๐ Consonant Blends: What are They?
A consonant blend is when two or three consonants are blended together, but each letter retains its own sound. You can still hear each individual sound when you say the word.
- ๐Hearing the Sounds: You can hear both (or all three) consonant sounds.
- โ๏ธExamples: Common blends include bl, br, cl, cr, dr, fr, gr, pl, pr, sl, tr, sk, sm, st, and sp.
- ๐Example Words: Words like blue, break, clap, crab, drive, frog, grape, play, prize, slide, tree, sky, smell, stop, and spoon all contain consonant blends.
๐ Digraphs: What are They?
A digraph is when two letters are combined to make one sound. It's like they're teaming up to create a brand-new sound!
- ๐ฃ๏ธOne Sound: The two letters together make a single, unique sound.
- ๐คLetter Combinations: Common digraphs include sh, ch, th, wh, and ph.
- ๐Example Words: Think of words like ship, chin, that, whale, and phone.
๐ Consonant Blends vs. Digraphs: The Showdown!
| Feature |
Consonant Blend |
Digraph |
| Sound |
Each consonant makes its own sound. |
Two letters make one new sound. |
| Example |
bl in blue |
sh in ship |
| Hearing the Letters |
You can hear each individual letter's sound. |
You hear a completely different sound created by the two letters. |
๐ก Key Takeaways
- ๐ Listen Carefully: When reading, pay close attention to the sounds the letters make.
- โ๏ธ Practice Makes Perfect: Practice reading words with blends and digraphs to become a reading pro!
- โ Ask Questions: If you're unsure, ask your teacher or a grown-up for help.