Worked example
Question: Change the first sound in “mat” to /s/. The new word is “sat”.
Key concept
Learning goal: I can add, remove or change phonemes in spoken words to make new words.
- Add, delete or substitute a sound in a one-syllable word to make a new word.
- Change a middle sound to make a new word.
- Change a final sound to make a new word.
Steps to use
Say word → Change sound → Say new word → Check meaning
See it, then try it
Change one sound, make a new word
cat → atcat → capat → satpin → pan
Say the change aloud
adddeletesubstituteinitialmedialfinal
Curriculum Coverage & Elaborations
Curriculum Coverage & Elaborations
The content description is the required target. The elaborations below are taught as examples and contexts, not as disconnected checklist wording.
- E1: adding, substituting or deleting phonemes in any position in one-syllable words with up to 4 phonemes
- E2: substituting medial sounds in spoken words to make new words; for example, “pin”, “pen”, “pan”
- E3: substituting final sounds in spoken words; for example, substitute the “t” in “pet” with “g” to form a new word “peg”
Common misconceptions
- Changing letters silently — Say the sounds aloud.
- Changing more than one sound — Change only the sound named.
- Forgetting middle/final sounds — Practise start, middle and end positions.
Try these
- Sound switch — Change one starting sound to make a new word.mat → sat
- Take away — Delete the first sound and say what remains.smile → mile
- Middle sound change — Change /i/ in pin to /a/.pin → pan
Explain and apply
Substitute first sound
Change cat by replacing /c/ with /h/.
Answer and teaching guidance
The new word is hat. Only the first sound changes.
Substitute middle sound
Change sit by replacing /i/ with /a/.
Answer and teaching guidance
The new word is sat. The middle vowel sound changes.
Substitute final sound
Change cup by replacing /p/ with /t/.
Answer and teaching guidance
The new word is cut. The final sound changes.
Explain the change
What changed from fish to dish?
Answer and teaching guidance
The first sound changed from /f/ to /d/. The rest of the word stayed the same.
Check your understanding
Quick checks
- Change mat to sat.
- Delete /s/ from smile.
- Change pin to pan.
- What does substitute mean?
I am ready when I can
- I can add, delete or substitute a sound in a one-syllable word to make a new word.
- I can change a middle sound to make a new word.
- I can change a final sound to make a new word.
Curriculum equivalents: Victoria, NSW and international
Curriculum equivalents for Manipulate phonemes in spoken words by addition, deletion and substitution...
Mapped skill: orally manipulate phonemes in spoken words by addition, deletion and substitution of initial, medial and final phonemes to generate new words (phonological awareness)
These references identify matching or closely related learning. Curriculum sequence, terminology and depth vary, so teachers should use the mapped skill and lesson difficulty to confirm suitability.
| Region | Curriculum framework | Closest level or code |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9E1LY10 · Year 1 |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 — English | VC2E1LY10 · Level 1 |
| New South Wales | NSW English K–10 Syllabus (2022) | EN1-PHOKW-01 · Stage 1 |
| United States (USA) | Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts | Grade 1 |
| Canada (Ontario) | Ontario Curriculum — English | Grade 1 |
| United Kingdom (England) | National Curriculum in England — English | Year 2, Key Stage 1 |
| India | NCERT / CBSE — English | Class 1 |
Australian Curriculum v9.0 is the canonical source for this SkillrHub lesson. Victoria and NSW entries name the closest published state codes or outcomes; international entries are planning references rather than claims of identical curricula.
🎥 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.
Before you watch:
- Pause after each worked example.
- Try the examples yourself.
- Return to the SkillrHub lesson before continuing.
Recommended: Let's Make a Change (Pre-K): Phoneme Substitution
Move to Learn (MovetoLearnMS) — Change a sound in a spoken word and listen to the new word.
As you watch: Which sound changes, and which sounds stay the same?
Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.
Try it: Say cat. Change the first sound to /m/ and say the new word. Try changing the last sound in cat to /p/.
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