A written letter represents a sound, but the sound is not the same as the letter name. To read a short unfamiliar word, look from left to right, say the sounds smoothly, and blend them into one spoken word. In 'sun', the sounds /s/, /ʌ/ and /n/ join without adding an extra vowel after each consonant. After decoding, check that the word makes sense in the sentence. Some frequent words contain an unusual spelling and need extra recognition practice alongside phonics.
Work from meaning to form. Read the first model, identify what the words are doing, and compare it with the second model. Explain the difference aloud before using the pattern in a new sentence. When checking a draft, locate the relevant word or clause and test it in its full sentence; a rule used in isolation may miss the intended meaning.
At Stage 2, use a short familiar scene, a picture book, or a shared classroom experience. An adult can model the language first and invite the child to explain the meaning orally. Keep attention on a small amount of successful language before extending it. The examples are teaching models rather than a formal written examination.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
Practise the whole unit and receive a separate answer or model guide.
A digraph is a pair of letters representing one sound in a word.
The letters 'sh' work together in 'ship'; they are not read as separate /s/ and /h/ sounds.
Compare 'ship' with 'sip' and listen to the difference.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
ship / sip
Moderate / Add a little
chair / thin / this
More detail for teachers and confident learners
A digraph is a pair of letters representing one sound in a word. The letters 'sh' work together in 'ship'; they are not read as separate /s/ and /h/ sounds. Compare 'ship' with 'sip' and listen to the difference. The spelling 'ch' commonly represents the first sound in 'chair', while 'th' has different pronunciations in 'thin' and 'this'. Read the whole word and connect its sound with its meaning rather than memorising a spelling rule without examples.
Work from meaning to form. Read the first model, identify what the words are doing, and compare it with the second model. Explain the difference aloud before using the pattern in a new sentence. When checking a draft, locate the relevant word or clause and test it in its full sentence; a rule used in isolation may miss the intended meaning.
At Stage 2, use a short familiar scene, a picture book, or a shared classroom experience. An adult can model the language first and invite the child to explain the meaning orally. Keep attention on a small amount of successful language before extending it. The examples are teaching models rather than a formal written examination.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
Practise the whole unit and receive a separate answer or model guide.
Use he, she, it or they only when the meaning is clear.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
Mala is kind. She helps me.
Moderate / Add a little
The cat is small. It is black.
Challenge / Try when ready
Ravi and I are friends. We read together.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea. A proper noun names a particular person or place and begins with a capital letter: 'Nila' and 'Colombo'. A pronoun can replace a noun when the reader can identify the reference. 'Nila has a bag. She carries it' uses 'she' for Nila and 'it' for the bag. When two people are mentioned, a pronoun may become unclear. Repeat a name when necessary instead of leaving the reader to guess.
Work from meaning to form. Read the first model, identify what the words are doing, and compare it with the second model. Explain the difference aloud before using the pattern in a new sentence. When checking a draft, locate the relevant word or clause and test it in its full sentence; a rule used in isolation may miss the intended meaning.
At Stage 2, use a short familiar scene, a picture book, or a shared classroom experience. An adult can model the language first and invite the child to explain the meaning orally. Keep attention on a small amount of successful language before extending it. The examples are teaching models rather than a formal written examination.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
Practise the whole unit and receive a separate answer or model guide.
The paid worksheet brings together all the lessons in this unit. A separate answer or model guide is included. Page count depends on the skills and activities.
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