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
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“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.”
Bring to the table
- Ready onset cards: c, b, d, m
- Ready rime cards: at, og, ap
- Paper and marker only if a card needs rewriting
Extra for the adult
Worked example. c + at = cat. Change the onset to b → bat. d + og = dog. In dog, first=/d/, middle=/o/, last=/g/.
Optional challenge. From tap, make two new words: change the first sound once and the last sound once, saying each full new word.
What to notice. Save a parent note with the blend, the sound-position answer, and the new word your child made.
Share and support
Compare teaching approaches
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.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
Topmarks · Practice link — not the full lesson
Balloon Phonics · CVC
Before you open · source notes
Blend and segment three-letter CVC words with sound buttons. Supports onset-rime and individual phoneme practice for single-syllable words.
Free · no login · ads
Before you openSave a screenshot of a completed CVC item plus adult audio or a note that the learner said each phoneme then the whole word.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Unknown — link only
Roy the Zebra · Practice link — not the full lesson
Spell CVC Words
Before you open · source notes
Build CVC words in word families. Use after oral blending so spelling reinforces segmented sounds.
Free · no login · no ads observed
Before you openSave a screenshot of a correctly spelled CVC word and a parent note of the phonemes the learner said first.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Unknown — link only
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 4–8
Standards