AC9EFLY12 • Foundation English

CVC words

I can use letters for sounds to read and write simple consonant-vowel-consonant words.

Topic GuideClassroom ViewWorksheetPracticeTest
Key vocabulary
  • CVC word — a three-letter word with consonant, vowel and consonant sound positions
  • consonant — a speech sound made with some closing or narrowing in the mouth
  • vowel — an open speech sound that forms the centre of a syllable
  • segment — break a spoken word into separate speech sounds
  • blend — join letter-linked sounds to read a whole word
  • sound position — the first, middle or final place of a sound in a word
Key concept

I can use letters for sounds to read and write simple consonant-vowel-consonant words.

Learning goal: I can use letters for sounds to read and write simple consonant-vowel-consonant words.

I am ready when I can

  • I can hear three sound positions.
  • I can choose a letter for each sound.
  • I can keep letters in sound order.
  • I can blend a written CVC word.
  • I can use meaning to confirm the reading.
Worked teaching sequence and checks

Say it, map it, read it

Adult: say “hen”. Child: repeat it and move one counter for each sound. Use letters h, e and n to record the sounds, then blend them to read the word.

hen

Use letter sounds when blending. Use the picture to confirm meaning after reading.

Try a new word

Say it. Write the sounds. Read your word.

Show answer and teaching guidance

sun: s, u, n in order. Adult: name the picture if needed. If the vowel is missing, say the word again and focus on its middle sound.

Important questions and answers

A child writes “hn” for hen. Which sound and letter are missing?

Show answer and teaching guidance

The middle vowel sound, represented by e. Say hen, move three counters and put one letter under each counter.

Read “can”. Change c to m. Read the new word. What stayed the same?

Show answer and teaching guidance

man. The middle vowel a and final consonant n stay the same; only the first sound and letter change.

Assessment-style questions and review hints

Adult: say “bed” without showing the spelling. Ask the child to write it. Then show “map” and ask the child to read it.

Review hint: say the sounds in order for spelling; point under the letters and blend for reading.

Show answer and teaching guidance

bed; map. Check spelling and reading separately. Use familiar, previously taught letter-sound correspondences.

Exit ticket

Adult: say “pen”. Child: write the word. Adult: show “sit”. Child: read the word.

Show answer and teaching guidance

pen; sit. Look for all three sound positions in order and blending without guessing. If needed, use counters and reteach the uncertain letter-sound correspondence.

See it, then try it

See the skill in action

Worked-model method: segment, map letters, blend and check the CVC word.

1. Say cat and move three counters for its first, middle and final speech sounds.2. Choose printed lower-case c for the sound at the start of cat, lower-case a for the short middle sound heard in apple, and lower-case t for the sound at the start of top.3. Place c, a and t in order, then blend the printed word cat to check it.

Model answer: Cat is a CVC word because its three letters represent a consonant sound, a vowel sound and a final consonant sound in order.

Worked example: build and read sun

Worked-model method: segment, map letters, blend and check the CVC word.

1. Say sun slowly and listen for three speech sounds.2. Choose printed lower-case s using sun as its own cue, lower-case u for the short middle sound in up, and lower-case n for the sound at the start of nest.3. Place s, u and n in order and blend the written word sun.

Model answer: Sun has all three sound positions represented, including the vowel letter in the middle.

Australian Curriculum elaborations

Content description: write consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words by representing sounds with the appropriate letters, and blend sounds associated with letters when reading CVC words

Use the worked examples to connect each spoken sound with its taught letter, then blend the letters to read the word.

Australian Curriculum v9.0 — English (QCAA)

Common misconceptions
  • The middle vowel can be skipped — Hold the middle counter and stretch the vowel sound before choosing its letter.
  • Letter names should be blended into the word — Use each printed letter’s taught sound, then blend the speech sounds smoothly.
  • A picture guess is enough — Point to and blend every printed letter before using the picture to confirm meaning.
Try these
  1. Three counters — Say a familiar CVC picture name and move one counter for each speech sound.
    first • middle • final
  2. Letter map — Place one printed letter under each counter, then point from left to right.
    sound counter above • letter card below
  3. Blend to check — Blend the three printed letters, choose the matching picture and correct any mismatched letter.
    written word → spoken word → picture meaning
Check your understanding

Quick checks

  • Which letters spell the spoken word ‘cat’?
  • Blend c-a-t. What word do you read?
  • Which letters spell ‘dog’?
  • Blend m-a-p. What word do you read?

Mastery evidence

  • Which letters spell the spoken word ‘cat’?
  • Blend c-a-t. What word do you read?
  • Which letters spell ‘dog’?
  • Blend m-a-p. What word do you read?
Resources
Open Classroom ViewPrintable WorksheetPracticeTest
🎥 Optional Video Lesson

The SkillrHub lesson remains the primary learning resource. This optional video reinforces the explanation; you can complete the lesson and practice without watching.

Back to the lesson

Before you watch:

  • Pause after each worked example.
  • Try the examples yourself.
  • Return to the SkillrHub lesson before continuing.
Recommended: CVC Words | Letter a | Phonics Song

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel — Blending and writing simple words with short a.

As you watch: Which vowel sound can you hear in the middle?

Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.

Try it: Blend cat aloud. Say its sounds, write the matching letters and read the word back.

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 e | Phonics Song

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel — Blending and writing simple words with short e.

As you watch: Which vowel sound can you hear in the middle?

Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.

Try it: Blend pet aloud. Say its sounds, write the matching letters and read the word back.

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 i | Phonics Song

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel — Blending and writing simple words with short i.

As you watch: Which vowel sound can you hear in the middle?

Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.

Try it: Blend sit aloud. Say its sounds, write the matching letters and read the word back.

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 u | Phonics Song

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel — Blending and writing simple words with short u.

As you watch: Which vowel sound can you hear in the middle?

Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.

Try it: Blend sun aloud. Say its sounds, write the matching letters and read the word back.

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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