Beginning blends sound match-up practice is served up in a blender! You can use a blender to make the perfect morning smoothie, or you can use this blender to find the perfect blend. Children pull a blend card from the blender jar and find the picture that begins with the same sound.

Blends are two or more consonants that keep their own sounds when read together, such as the bl in block. This activity is easy to set up and play: just cut out the blender and put your blend cards inside. Printable follow-up pages help you check what children understand.

With this beginning blends sound match-up, you get

• A cut-out blender jar to hold the blend cards
• Blend cards and picture cards to match
• Two sets for more chances to practice
• Printable follow-up pages to check understanding

Mix up the blends and start matching!

What's Included

• A blender to cut out and fill with blend cards
• Blend cards and picture cards for matching
• Two sets: Set #1 includes the sc- blend and Set #2 includes the sk- blend
• Printable follow-up pages

Why Teachers Love It

• A fun theme: The blender jar gives children a playful reason to practice blends.
• Quick setup: Cut out the blender, add the blend cards and the activity is ready.
• Two sets: More sets mean more chances to practice the same skill.
• Easy to check: The follow-up pages show you which blends children know.
• Picture support: Picture cards help children hear the beginning sound in each word.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Beginning blends: Children match each blend to a picture that begins with the same sound.
• Phonemic awareness: Saying each picture name helps children listen for the blended sounds at the start.
• Letter-sound connections: Children connect the letters on each blend card with the sounds they hear.
• Vocabulary: Naming the pictures builds new words.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Taking turns
• Following directions
• Waiting during group play
• Maintaining attention
• Working independently

How to Use It

Step 1: Cut out the blender and put your blend cards inside. Set out the picture cards.

Step 2: Children select a blend from the jar, say its sound and find the picture that begins with the same sound.

Step 3: After the match-up, use the printable follow-up pages to check children's understanding.

Easy Differentiation

Children come to blends with different skills. This match-up is easy to adjust for each learner.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Set out only a few picture cards at a time
• Say each picture name aloud together
• Model one match before children begin
• Play with a partner or adult

For On-Level Practice

• Use one full set in a literacy center
• Say the blend sound and the picture name for each match
• Take turns pulling cards in a small group
• Use the follow-up pages for independent practice

For an Extra Challenge

• Use both sets together
• Name another word that begins with the same blend
• Time how quickly children can find all the matches
• Write the word for each picture

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Practice target blends while naming each picture
• Use the pictures to build vocabulary
• Cut and handle the cards for fine motor practice
• Let children point to the match when speaking is hard
• Give extra processing time and model each match first

Perfect For

• Literacy centers
• Small groups
• Partner games
• Phonics intervention
• Speech therapy sessions
• Special education classrooms
• Homeschool

Standards

This beginning blends sound match-up supports kindergarten and 1st grade literacy standards in Common Core, the TEKS (ELAR) and the Virginia English SOL (2024):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS RF.1.2.b: Orally produce single-syllable words by blending sounds, including consonant blends.
• CCSS RF.K.3.a: Connect consonants with their most common sounds.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS ELAR K.2.A.ii: Recognize groups of words that begin with the same spoken onset or initial sound.
• TEKS ELAR 1.2.A.ii: Recognize groups of words that begin with the same spoken onset, such as pictures that start with the same blend.
• TEKS ELAR 1.2.A.v: Blend spoken phonemes to form one-syllable words, including initial consonant blends.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL English 1.FFR.3.A: Decode and encode short vowel words with blends and digraphs.

Add the Beginning Blends Sound Match-Up to your cart and blend up a fun phonics center today. Cut out the blender, fill it with cards and watch your students find the perfect blend!

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

• On the 'thank you' page after checkout
• In your email
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