ExploraLearn Phonics Program Guide

Activity 2: Find the Correct Sound

Take all the Alphabet Tokens and the Sound Vowel Cards.

Shuffle the cards and place them on a table.

Now, pick any one Alphabet Token and show it to your child.

Your child will say the correct sound, find and pick up the corresponding card, and also say the names of the objects shown on the card.

Activity 3: Beginning Vowel Sound Worksheets

These worksheets will help your child in practicing the short sound of vowels.

Ask your child to identify each object by looking and call out the name, emphasizing the short vowel beginning sound only.

Ask them to write the correct vowel sound in the space provided.

Also, ask them to circle the images that start with the correct short vowel sound.

Note: Focus on the short vowel beginning sound only, and not the sound of the whole word. For example, in the case of "alligator," your child will focus on only the beginning or first "a" sound only and not the remaining sound.

Activity 4: Beginning Consonant Sound Worksheets

These worksheets are designed to help your child practice the sounds of consonants.

Ask your child to identify each object by looking at it and calling out its name, focusing only on the initial consonant sound.

Then, have them write the correct consonant sound in the space provided.

Also, instruct them to circle the images that start with the targeted consonant sound.

Note: Focus solely on the initial consonant sound, not the sound of the entire word. For example, in the case of "dinosaur," your child should concentrate only on the beginning "d" sound and not the rest of the sounds in the word.

Introduction to Sight Words

Sight words are commonly used words that your child should memorize as a whole by sight, enabling them to automatically recognize these words upon seeing them without the need to decode them phonetically.

We use the Dolch sight words list and encourage you to present a few sight word tokens to your child every day until they can recognize them by sight.

Start with the sight words that are color-coded in green.

Activity 2: VC Blend Token Words

We have provided VC blend tokens and Alphabet tokens.

As you are teaching words in each card to your child, ask them to place the card on a table and then use the alphabet token and VC blend token to create the words themselves.

Encourage them to try and create new words, and ask them to say it loud and see if they say it correctly.

Activity 3: VC Word Family Game

Now that your child is confident in all the VC cards, you can play this exciting game with them, whereby they will create different words using Alphabets and VC Blends.

You will require:

• VC Word Family game sheet
• 1 Token/peg to move
• Alphabet Tokens and VC Blend Tokens

Follow the instructions given in the game sheet or watch the video to play the game with your child.

Encourage your child to create new words not given in VC cards.

Activity 4: CVC Crossword

As you must have noticed, we added a Consonant to a VC blend to create the complete word. This is called CVC (Consonant Vowel Consonant). For example, c + a + b = cab, d + a + m = dam.

Things Required:

• 3 CVC Crossword Sheets
• Alphabet Tokens

Place 1 CVC Crossword sheet on a flat surface, ask your child to identify the image and accordingly place the alphabet token in the boxes to complete the crossword. Do not forget to ask them to say each word aloud.

Answers:
Page 1 - rat, red, tub, bin, nout.
Page 2 - man, nut, sit, sob, bed.
Page 3 - rod, wed, win, pan, cup.

Activity 5: CVC Word Builder

Things Required:

• 3 CVC Word Builder Sheets
• Alphabet Tokens
• Scissors

Using scissors, cut out the different tokens from the CVC Word Builder sheet. Now ask your child to identify each object and then make that word using the tokens provided.

List of Words:
Page 1 - map, pan, bat, den, web, net, pig, wig, dig.
Page 2 - top, mop, dog, jug, bus, sun, hen, pen, six.
Page 3 - fan, ran, bun, pin, lip, cot, hot, tap, cap.

Sight Word Level - 2

If your child is comfortable with Level 1 Sight words as explained in Unit 1, then you should introduce them to Level 2 Sight words.

The Level 2 Sight words are shown below, and tokens are provided for the same. Shuffle and make them learn a few sight words every day.

Introduction to Reading Stories

Your child must be fairly comfortable with CVC and VC blends, recognizing and saying short vowel sounds and many sight words.

This is the time to introduce simple stories provided in the storybook. The stories provided focus on different blends that are taught in this course, which will help your child build skills needed for successful reading.

Unit 1 Stories are based on VC blend words like ab, ad, ed, it, ut, etc.

Read a story with your child, using plenty of expression and paying attention to the short vowel sound words. Ask your child simple questions regarding each story.

There are 25 stories related to VC blends for your child to read.

Activity 2: Consonant Blend Token Cards Activity

Things Required:

• 6 Blend Token Sheets
• Blend Tokens and Alphabet Tokens

Using scissors, cut out the different tokens from the Blend Token sheet. Now, ask your child to identify each object and then select the correct starting blend token for it. Ensure that your child says the word aloud, emphasizing the starting blend sound.

Activity 3: Blend Bingo Game

Things Required:

• Blend Tokens from earlier activity
• Blend Bingo Card
• 1 Marker pen

Parents will shuffle all the Blend Tokens and keep them nearby. Then, hand over the bingo card and a marker pen to the child.

The parent will pick up one Blend Token and show it to the child. The child will say the name of the object and identify the beginning blend sound. Then, they will cross off that beginning Blend on their sheet once.

The parent will continue showing the cards, and the child will identify the blends and mark them on their card.

Once the child crosses off 4 blends in any sequence—whether it be right, left, down, or diagonal—the game is over. Check how many tokens it took for the child to complete the game.

Activity 4: Blend Search Game

Things Required:

• Blend Token cards from earlier activity
• Blend Tokens

Take a few Blend Token cards and the corresponding beginning blend tokens.

Now, shuffle the cards and place them face down at a distance. Give your child one blend token. The child will run to the area, pick up all the Blend Token cards that begin with that blend, and bring them back to you.

Check how many correct cards they have brought.

Activity 5: Blend Worksheets

Things Required:

• 3 Blend Worksheets
• Pen or Pencil

Now as your child is becoming more confident in beginning Consonant blends, it's time for them to do some worksheets.

Give 1 worksheet at a time and ask them to identify the image and fill in the correct starting blend.

Activity 6: Blend Token Words

You can encourage your child now to create some words using blend tokens.

Activity 7: Introduction to Ending Blends

Things Required: Blend Reference Chart

Ending blends are groups of consonants found at the end of words where each letter's sound can be heard. Unlike vowel blends, in consonant ending blends, no new sound is created; instead, the individual sounds of the letters are pronounced quickly together. Examples include "nd" in "hand," "st" in "last," and "nk" in "bank."

Focus only on the right side of the chart, where different ending blends are given. Say words aloud, and the child identifies whether the word contains an ending blend. This helps develop their auditory discrimination skills.

Double Consonants: Teach your child that sometimes two letters stand together to make one sound. These are special because they are the same letter twice, and they work together as a team to make a single sound.

Give examples like "bell" for "ll," "kiss" for "ss," showing how the twin blend comes at the end of the word and emphasizes the single sound it makes.

Patience, practice, and positive reinforcement are key to helping them master this skill.

Activity 8: Ending Sound Activity Sheets

Things Required:

• 20 Ending Sound Activity sheets
• Ending Sound tokens

Place one worksheet on a flat surface and ask your child to identify and call out the name of the image. Encourage them to emphasize the ending sound. Then, they should place the token representing the ending sound in the box provided to complete the word.

Activity 9: Ending Sound Word Search

Things Required:

• 6 Ending Sound Word Search Worksheets
• A marker pen/sketch pen

Improve your child’s pattern recognition and vocabulary with this exciting activity.

Ask your child to read the first word given at the bottom, emphasizing the ending sound. Then ask them to search the word in the grid and circle it or color it.

Do this for all the words.

Activity 2: Voiced and Voiceless "th" Sound

Card 1 - Voiced and Voiceless "th" Sound

There are two sounds that "th" can make, called voiced and voiceless "th."

Understanding Voiced and Voiceless Sounds:

Start with Feeling the Vibration:

• Voiced "th": Tell your child that some sounds use our voice. Place your hand on your throat and make the "th" sound as in "this," "that," or "there." Encourage the child to feel the vibration in their throat. This vibration means the sound is voiced.
• Voiceless "th": Now, make the "th" sound as in "think," "bath," or "thumb." Again, place your hand on your throat, but this time, point out the lack of vibration. Explain that this sound is made just with air, not the voice, making it voiceless.

Practice Making the Sounds: Make your child practice making both sounds, emphasizing feeling the vibration for the voiced "th" and the absence of it for the voiceless "th."

Now, read out the words given in the card, ask them to touch their throat, and categorize them based on whether they feel a vibration.

Learning the difference can be challenging, so patience and positive reinforcement are important.

Activity 3: 3 Sounds of "ch"

Card 2 - 3 Sounds of "ch"

The "ch" digraph has three sounds as given in the flashcard.

Start with the Common Sound: Begin by introducing the most familiar "ch" sound, as in "chop," "cherry," or "chair." Explain that when we see "ch" together in most words, it makes this unique sound.

Introduce the "k" Sound: Explain that sometimes "ch" can sound like a "k," especially in words borrowed from other languages. Use examples like "chorus," "character," or "chemistry."

Introduce the "sh" Sound: Lastly, introduce the "sh" sound that "ch" can make in some words, often found in words from French origin, like "chef," "chalet," or "machine."

Show Worksheet No. 3 of Unit 4 and practice the words that make the different sounds.

List of Words:
Chocolate, Anchor, Chef, Ache
Mustache, School, Branch, Parachute
Child, Mechanic, Cherry, Chandelier

Activity 4: Hard c and Soft c

Card 3 - Hard c and Soft c

The letter "c" can make two different sounds depending on the letters that follow it.

A simple rule is that "c" sounds like a "k" (hard "c") before the letters "a," "o," "u," and consonants. For example, cat, cot, cut, cake, crayons, etc.

It sounds like an "s" (soft "c") before the letters "e," "i," and "y." For example, city, cite, cylinder.

Now, read the words given in the card and let your child identify whether they make a hard "c" (k) or soft "c" (s) sound.

Activity 5: Hard g and Soft g

Card 4 - Hard g and Soft g

Introduce the Concept:

Start by demonstrating the two sounds "g" can make. The hard "g" sounds like "go," and the soft "g" sounds like "giraffe."

Explain the Rule: Tell your child that "g" usually makes the hard sound before "a," "o," "u," and consonants (e.g., "gum," "gold," "grape"). It makes the soft sound before "e," "i," "y" (e.g., "gem," "giant," "gym").

Use the card given and say words aloud, and have the child repeat after you, emphasizing the hard or soft "g" sound. This helps with auditory discrimination and pronunciation.

Activity 6: To Use c or k

Card 5 - c vs k

English spelling rules can sometimes be confusing. Here's a method to make this concept clearer for a child:

Introduce Simple Rules:

• "C" before "a," "o," "u," and consonants: Explain that we usually use "c" before the vowels "a," "o," "u," and before consonants. Examples include "cat," "cot," "cup," and "clap."
• "K" before "e," "i," "y": We use "k" before "e," "i," "y" to keep the hard sound. Examples include "kettle," "kite," and "kylie."

Activity 7: Digraph Worksheets

Things Required:

• 4 Digraph Worksheets
• Pen or Pencil

Now, as your child is becoming more confident in Digraphs, it's time for them to do some worksheets.

The Worksheets cover the following topics:

• wh and ph sounds
• ng and nk sounds
• 3 sounds of sneaky ch
• ch and sh words

Activity 2: R-Controlled Words (Bossy r)

Things Required: r-controlled cards - ar, er, ir, or, ur

Explain to your child that when a vowel is followed by "r," it changes the sound of the vowel, which is not exactly like the vowel's short vowel sound or long vowel sound. This is why it is called Bossy r.

Examples:

• car = c + ar
• her = h + er
• bird = b + ir + d
• fur = f + ur
• fork = f + or + k

Notice in each of these words, the vowel and consonant sounds are not making distinctive sounds, but a single sound like "ar," "er," "ur," or "or," and "r" is dominating the sound.

Activity 3: Long and Short Vowel Puzzle

Things Required:

• Long Vowel and Short Vowel Game sheet 1 and 2
• Long Vowel and Short Vowel Puzzle Completion chart
• Scissors

Cut the image tokens given in the Game sheet 1 and 2 along the dotted lines.

Shuffle the tokens and give them to your child.

Open the Puzzle Completion chart.

Ask your child to read the word given in the tokens and identify if it is a short vowel word or a long vowel word.

Ask them to place the token in the correct place in the Puzzle Completion chart (matching the number of the token to that of the chart).

Your child will do this until both puzzles are completed.

Activity 4: Magic e Worksheet

Things Required: Magic e Worksheet

In this worksheet, your child will add an "e" to a three-letter short vowel sound word, and it will change to a long vowel sound.

Read the word on the left, noticing how it makes a short vowel sound. Now add an "e" on the right side at the end.

Notice how the word changes, and the vowel sound has changed to a long vowel sound.

Read the words aloud and notice the difference in both vowel sounds.

Activity 2: Diphthong - oi and oy Worksheet

Things Required: Diphthong oi and oy worksheet

Now that you have gone through the words in the card with your child, ask them to do the worksheet for "oi" and "oy."

Notice that in all the words, "oi" comes in the middle, except for "toys." Explain to them that "toys" is the plural of "toy," which in itself is a complete word, so "oy" is still being used.

Another exception is "oyster." This is to show that there are some exceptions to the above rules.

Activity 3: Introduction to Diphthongs (ow and ou)

Things Required: ow and ou Diphthong card (1 and 2)

The letters "ow" and "ou" often make similar sounds.

There are 2 sounds of /ow/ and 4 sounds of /ou/. You need to first teach them the sounds of /ow/ and /ou/, which are similar.

The explanation and teaching method are given in the cards. Practice the words given in the card regularly until your child becomes comfortable with them.

These words do not always follow a set pattern, so you need to practice these words repeatedly with your child.

Activity 4: Diphthong - ow and ou Worksheet

Things Required: Diphthong ow and ou worksheet

Now that you have gone through the words in the card with your child, ask them to do the worksheet for "ow" and "ou."

Activity 5: Introduction to Diphthongs (au and aw)

Things Required: au and aw Diphthong card

The letters "au" and "aw" make similar sounds.

The explanation and teaching method are given in the cards. Practice the words given in the card regularly until your child becomes comfortable with them.

These words do not follow a set pattern, so you need to practice these words repeatedly with your child.

Activity 6: Diphthong - au and aw Worksheet

Things Required: Diphthong au and aw worksheet

Now that you have gone through the words in the card with your child, ask them to do the worksheet for "au" and "aw."

Activity 7: Diphthong - oo words

Things Required: Diphthong oo card

The diphthong "oo" has many sound variants. Currently, you need to focus on 2 sounds:

• Long oo sound: as in moon, spoon, boots, etc.
• Short oo sound: as in book, foot, cook, wood, etc.

Go through the long and short sound words given in the card with your child and ask them to notice the difference in sounds.

There is no set rule for "oo" words, so your child needs to learn them by sight. Go through these words repeatedly with them until they get comfortable.

Level 3 - Ending Blends and Twin Blends - 7 Stories

nd, nk, nt, ng, st, ft, ct, lt, lf, ld, lp, pt, ll, ss, ff, zz

Level 4 - Digraph - 6 Stories

th, sh, ch, wh, ph, ck

Level 5 - Diphthongs and Bossy r - 6 Stories

ow, ou, oi, oy, au, aw, ir, er, ur, or, oo, ee