The Elementary Spelling Book, being an Improvement on the American Spelling Book · Nos. 8–9 · Part 2: First syllables

8. Two consonants together: bla, fla, pra, tra, cha, sha

Goal: Your child reads syllables that start with two consonants blended together (bl, fl, pr, tr) or with ch, sh, wr.

⏱ About 15 minutes · 6 steps

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You'll need

  • The book, open to this table
  • A slate, small whiteboard, or paper and pencil

What's in the book

No. 8 has blends with l and r (bla, ble, bli; fla, fle, fli; gla; pla; bra), and No. 9 goes on with more (pra, tra, wra, cha, sha, ska). Short sentences follow on the next page.

The lesson, step by step

  1. The pattern

    Now two consonants come together at the start. Say both sounds quickly so they blend: b-l, bla. Some pairs make one new sound: ch as in chin, sh as in ship. In wr the w is silent: wra sounds like "ra".

  2. Read the table aloud

    Read across No. 8:

    bla, ble, bli

    fla, fle, fli, flo, flu, fly

    gla, gle, gli, glo

    Then No. 9:

    pra, pre, pri, pro, pru, pry

    tra, tre, tri, tro, tru, try

    cha, che, chi, cho, chu

    sha, she, shi, sho, shu, shy

  3. Spell aloud

    Your child spells and says: "b, l, a, bla". "s, h, a, sha". Then you say a syllable and your child spells it.

  4. Hear the blend

    Say "pla" slowly: "p...la". Then fast: "pla". Your child does the same with "tri", "flo" and "bra". If two sounds come out as one, slow down.

  5. Dictation

    Your child writes: bla, fli, pro, tru, sha, chi.

  6. Wrap up

    Your child reads the row they like best, as fast as they can.

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