The Elementary Spelling Book, being an Improvement on the American Spelling Book · No. 130 · Part 8: Special sounds
97. The zh sound: sier, zier, sion, sia
Goal: Your child reads words where s or z makes the soft "zh" sound, as in "vision".
You'll need
- The book, open to this table
- A slate, small whiteboard, or paper and pencil
What's in the book
No. 130 explains that in its words the endings sier and zier are pronounced like "zher", sion like "zhun", and sia like "zha". The page begins with the end of No. 129 (battalion). (This page could not be fetched on its own when these guides were made, so only the heading and the rule are given here. Follow the page itself for the words.)
The lesson, step by step
Review
Say "question" and "alien" the way the book says them.
The pattern
There is a sound in English with no letter of its own: the "zh" in "vision" and "measure". This table shows words where s or z makes it, in endings like -sion (vision), -sier and -zier, and -sia.
Read the table aloud
Read the table aloud a column at a time. You read a word, your child repeats it, pointing. Then your child reads a column alone.
Spell aloud by syllables
Your child spells each word a syllable at a time, saying each syllable, then the whole word. Do one column looking, then cover it and spell a few from memory.
Make the sound
Say "sh" and then add the voice: "zh". Your child puts a hand on the throat and feels the buzz. Then say "vision", "measure", "Asia".
Dictation
Choose six words from the table. Say each, use it in a short sentence, and say it again. Your child writes it. Check together against the book.
Wrap up
Your child sorts three words you say: is the ending "shun" (nation) or "zhun" (vision)?