Onsets & Rimes
Blend and segment onsets and rimes in single-syllable words; isolate and pronounce individual phonemes (initial, medial, final) in CVC words; add or substitute phonemes to make new words
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
1 approach
Many short words split into an onset and a rime. The onset is the first sound. The rime is the chunk that starts with the vowel. We can blend them, pull them apart, and swap one sound to make a new word.
Spend about 10 minutes blending and swapping with the supplied onset and rime cards only.
Learning resources
Reviewed external links that reinforce this concept. They do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
Balloon Phonics · CVC
Blend and segment three-letter CVC words with sound buttons. Supports onset-rime and individual phoneme practice for single-syllable words.
Proof: Save a screenshot of a completed CVC item plus adult audio or a note that the learner said each phoneme then the whole word.
Spell CVC Words
Build CVC words in word families. Use after oral blending so spelling reinforces segmented sounds.
Proof: Save a screenshot of a correctly spelled CVC word and a parent note of the phonemes the learner said first.
Explore the learning path
2 before · 2 after
Before
This concept
Check understanding
- Blend onset and rime to say a word (e.g. /c/ + /at/ → 'cat')
- Identify the first, middle, or last sound in a CVC word
- Change one sound to make a new word (e.g. change /c/ in 'cat' to /b/ → 'bat')
“If you slowly say the sounds '/d/ /o/ /g/', can your child blend them together and say 'dog'? And if you say 'cat', can they tell you the three separate sounds: /k/ /a/ /t/?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Phonics & Word Reading
- Age range
- Ages 4–7
Standards