Segmenting words into sounds
Segment spoken words into phonemes and spell CVC and simple phonetically regular words by writing a letter or letters for each sound
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Teaching Table · Reviewed guide
Set out your lesson
“Spoken words are made of separate sounds. Cat has three sounds: /k/ /a/ /t/. We listen, pull the sounds apart, and make one mark for each sound in order. I will model first.”
Bring to the table
- Paper
- Thick marker or crayon
Full guide and materials
- Paper
- Thick marker or crayon
- Step 1. Model with cat: say the whole word, then stretch /k/…/a/…/t/ while drawing three large dots or boxes in a row.
- Step 2. Say bed. Have your child repeat the whole word, then say each sound while making one mark per sound.
- Step 3. Point under each mark and blend the sounds back into bed.
- Step 4. Try one more CVC word such as hot or sun. Keep to three-sound words only.
- Step 5. If your child is ready, they may write a letter in each box, but one mark per sound is enough for success.
- Quick check. Say a fresh CVC word such as pen. Success means your child makes three ordered marks or letters, one per sound, without extra or missing marks.
Worked example. For hot, three marks stand for /h/ /o/ /t/. Blending the marks should return to hot.
Optional challenge. Keep segmenting CVC words, but ask your child to write a best-guess letter for each sound under the marks.
What to notice. Save a photo of the sound marks for one word, or a parent note like “pen → 3 marks for /p/ /e/ /n/.”
Compare teaching approaches
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
1 approach
Spoken words are made of separate sounds. Cat has three sounds: /k/ /a/ /t/. We listen, pull the sounds apart, and make one mark for each sound in order. I will model first.
Spend about 10 minutes segmenting parent-said CVC words into three sound marks.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
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Check understanding
- Write CVC words from dictation (e.g. 'cat', 'bed', 'hot')
- Segment words into individual sounds before choosing letters to write
- Spell simple words phonetically drawing on sound-letter knowledge
“Can your child listen to a simple word like "cat" or "ship" and write down the letters for each sound they hear?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Spelling & Word Study
- Age range
- Ages 4–7
Standards