segment — break spoken language into separate parts
blend — join separate speech sounds to say a whole word
sentence — a group of words that expresses an idea
word — a spoken unit that carries meaning
phoneme — one individual speech sound
manipulate — add, remove or replace a speech sound
Key concept
I can hear words in a sentence and blend, segment and change sounds in one-syllable words.
Learning goal: I can hear words in a sentence and blend, segment and change sounds in one-syllable words.
I am ready when I can
I can segment a sentence into words.
I can segment a single-syllable word into speech sounds.
I can blend speech sounds into a word.
I can isolate a first, middle or final sound.
I can change one sound and check the new word.
See it, then try it
See the skill in action
Worked-model method: count spoken parts, blend or change them, then check.
1. Listen to the whole sentence, ‘The dog ran home.’2. Say it again slowly and move one counter for The, one for dog, one for ran and one for home.3. Touch and count the four counters, then say the whole sentence again.
Model answer: The spoken sentence has four words because each meaningful spoken word receives one counter.
Worked example: blend and change a spoken word
Worked-model method: count spoken parts, blend or change them, then check.
1. Listen to three sounds: the humming sound at the start of moon, the short vowel sound at the beginning of apple and the tapping sound at the start of top.2. Slide three counters together and blend the sounds to say mat.3. Replace the first sound with the hissing sound at the start of sun, blend again and say sat.
Model answer: Changing only the first speech sound changes mat to sat while the middle and final sounds stay the same.
Australian Curriculum elaborations
E1: Segment a spoken word into sounds
A single-syllable spoken word can be stretched into its individual speech sounds while the sound order remains unchanged.
The task begins with a spoken word and stays focused on listening.
Think: Say can as a whole word. Stretch it and move counters for the quiet cutting sound at the start of cat, the short vowel sound at the beginning of apple and the humming sound at the beginning of nest. Touch the three counters in order and say the whole word again.
Try: What speech sounds do you hear from the beginning to the end of can?
A strong answer: Say the whole word, move one counter for each heard sound, identify every sound with a cue word and count the separated parts.
Check: The learner represents each individual speech sound in the spoken word with one ordered counter and recombines the word accurately.
If you are stuck: Begin with two-sound words or provide the first counter, then stretch the word together without displaying letters.
E2: Blend separate sounds into a word
Oral blending joins a sequence of separate speech sounds smoothly to make a recognisable single-syllable word.
Think: Provide the flowing beginning sound in leaf, the short vowel sound at the beginning of insect and the popping sound at the beginning of pig. Touch three counters while repeating the sounds in order. Slide the counters together and say lip as one word.
Try: Which whole word do these three cue-word sounds make when you join them?
A strong answer: Listen to the separated cue sounds, move one counter for each, slide the counters together and blend the whole spoken word.
Check: The learner preserves the supplied sound order and blends it into the intended spoken word without adding or omitting a sound.
If you are stuck: Use continuous hand movement under the counters, repeat the first two sounds together and then add the final sound.
E3: Replace one sound to make a new word
Changing the beginning, middle or final speech sound in a single-syllable word can make a new spoken word while the other sounds stay fixed.
run: starting wordchange beginning → funchange middle → fan
Only the named sound position changes each time.
Think: Build three counters for run. Replace only the first counter with the soft blowing beginning sound in fish and blend fun. Keep the first and last sounds, change the middle to the short sound in apple and blend fan.
Try: Which sound position changed, which sounds stayed and what new word did you make?
A strong answer: Build the starting word with sound counters, replace only the named sound, blend the new word and state what changed and stayed.
Check: The learner replaces the named speech sound, blends a valid new word and explains which positions changed and stayed.
If you are stuck: Hold two counters in place, exaggerate the replacement action and offer two picture choices for the possible new word.
Common misconceptions
Counting syllables gives the number of words — Repeat the sentence and move a counter for every separate meaningful word, including short words.
Speech sounds are the same as letter names — Keep the task oral and use cue words to imitate sounds instead of reciting alphabet names.
Changing one sound means changing the whole word — Hold two counters still, replace only the named counter and blend all parts again.
Listen, explain and apply
Keep the task oral
Adult: say the target words and individual sounds; the child listens, speaks or moves counters. Use speech sounds rather than alphabet names, and avoid adding an extra “uh” to consonants.
Words and syllables differ
Say “The rabbit hops.” Move one counter per word. Then clap the beats in rabbit. How do the tasks differ?
Answer and teaching guidance
The sentence has three words; rabbit has two syllables. The counter task separates the sentence into words, while clapping separates one word into beats.
Check the sound order
Adult: say the beginning sound of sun, the short vowel at the start of insect, then the beginning sound of top. Blend them. What happens if the final sound changes to the beginning of pig?
Answer and teaching guidance
The sounds blend to sit. Replacing only the final sound makes sip. Keep the first and middle sounds in place.
Add and remove a sound
Say “at”. Add the beginning sound of moon at the start. Now remove that sound again. What words do you say?
Answer and teaching guidance
Adding the sound makes mat; removing it returns to at. Counters can show the added or removed sound without printed letters.
Ready to move on
Adult: say “shop”. Ask for its separate sounds, then ask the child to change the final sound to the beginning of top.
Answer and teaching guidance
Shop has three speech sounds: the initial sh sound, short o and p. Changing the final sound gives shot. Count sounds, not the four printed letters.
Try these
Word counters — Move one counter for every word in a short sentence that the teacher says.
listen first • move once per word • count
Sound slide — Listen to three cue-word sounds and slide three counters together as you blend the word.
separate sounds → smooth blend → whole word
Change one — Use picture cues to replace the first or final speech sound and say the new word.
name what changed and what stayed
Check your understanding
Quick checks
How many words are in ‘I can hop’?
How many words are in ‘The dog ran’?
What sounds can you hear in ‘can’?
Blend /l/ /i/ /p/. What word do you hear?
Mastery evidence
How many words are in ‘I can hop’?
How many words are in ‘The dog ran’?
What sounds can you hear in ‘can’?
Blend /l/ /i/ /p/. What word do you hear?
The learner represents each individual speech sound in the spoken word with one ordered counter and recombines the word accurately.
The learner preserves the supplied sound order and blends it into the intended spoken word without adding or omitting a sound.
The learner replaces the named speech sound, blends a valid new word and explains which positions changed and stayed.
The SkillrHub lesson remains the primary learning resource. This optional video reinforces the explanation; you can complete the lesson and practice without watching.
Recommended: Phonemes | Beginning Sounds and Phonics
Khan Academy Kids — Listening for the first sound in a spoken word.
As you watch: What sound can you hear at the beginning?
Load video playerLoads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.
Try it: Say sun, sock and leaf. Group the words that begin with the same sound, then choose your own example.
Video unavailable, inaccurate or unsuitable for this year? Report a video problem to SkillrHub by email. You can continue with the written lesson and practice resources.
Another explanation: CVC Words | Letter a | Phonics Song
Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel — Hearing separate sounds and blending them into a short word.
As you watch: What happens when you say the three sounds smoothly together?
Load video playerLoads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.
Try it: An adult says the separate sounds in map. Blend the word, then say its sounds one at a time.
Video unavailable, inaccurate or unsuitable for this year? Report a video problem to SkillrHub by email. You can continue with the written lesson and practice resources.
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