Letter combination accuracy, Fill in the Blank

Grade: 2, 3

Length: 10 minutes

Materials: Letter combination cards from Letter cards

Goal: Given a printed word, the student can identify the printed letter combination that completes that word (pl__-> “ay” -> “play”).

Items: All letter combinations learned so far.

What to do

Before introducing the activity, choose letter combinations that make the same or a similar sound (i.e., ai and ay, au and aw, ea and ee, er, ir and ur, oi and oy). Create a list of words that contain the desired letter combinations.
Today, we are going to do a fill in the blank activity. I will write a word on the board with a blank in it. You will look at the cards on the table. As a group, you will choose which card completes the word.
This is tricky because some letter combinations make the same sound. You will have to try to figure out which completes the word correctly.
For example, let’s say the word “pl__” is written on the board. I would look at the cards and see which ones might make a word. I will read each card and see if it works. /Pler/, no that’s not a word. /Plir/, no. /Plai/. Yes. Ok, I found a letter combination that makes the right sound, but I don’t think /plai/ is spelled p-l-a-i. Hmmm, is there another letter combination that makes that same sound? Call on students. Good. The letter combination “ay” makes that sound and that is the correct way to spell play.
Are there any questions? Answer questions, clarifying the activity.
Observe students. For students who struggle, offer help and make a note in an Activity Log.