Diagraphs and Blends

Curriculum Area and Level

National Curriculum in England: Year 1

Objective

• To identify and pronounce diagraphs, blends, diphthongs, and long vowel sounds.
• To recognise and read high-frequency sight words.

Duration

30 minutes

Materials Needed

• Flashcards with diagraphs, diphthongs, blends, and sight words
• Whiteboard markers
• A storybook containing target sounds
• Visuals or props related to the sounds
• Stickers or small rewards
• Mini whiteboards and markers for each student

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Greeting and Warm-up
   • Begin with a simple greeting song to get children settled and excited.
   • Quick chat about the importance of sounds in words.
   • Use a puppet to introduce the day’s lesson focus: "Today, we are going to have fun with special sounds that help us read!"

Main Activity (20 minutes)

Part 1: Diagraphs (5 minutes)

1. Introduction to Diagraphs

   • Show flashcards with common diagraphs (e.g., 'sh', 'ch', 'th').
   • Pronounce each diagraph clearly and ask students to repeat.
   • Use the puppet to show a diagraph in a simple word. E.g., 'ship,' 'chop,' 'this'.

2. Interactive Exercise

   • Get students to form pairs.
   • Each pair gets 2-3 flashcards.
   • They take turns to choose a flashcard, say the sound, and come up with a word containing the diagraph.

Part 2: Blends (5 minutes)

1. Introduction to Blends

   • Show flashcards with common blends (e.g., 'bl', 'cl', 'fl').
   • Pronounce each blend clearly and ask the children to repeat.

2. Interactive Exercise

   • Show an image related to each blend (e.g., a flower for 'fl').
   • Students try to guess the word and blend used.

Part 3: Diphthongs and Long Vowels (5 minutes)

1. Introduction to Diphthongs and Long Vowels

   • Show flashcards of diphthongs (e.g., 'oi', 'ou') and long vowels (e.g., 'a_e', 'i_e').
   • Pronounce each sound and have students echo.

2. Mix-and-Match Game

   • On the whiteboard, match pictures with diphthong sounds.
   • Students come up one at a time to draw a line between the diphthong and the corresponding image (e.g., 'coin' for 'oi').

Part 4: Sight Words (5 minutes)

1. Sight Words Flashcards

   • Show flashcards of high-frequency sight words (e.g., 'the', 'and', 'it').
   • Hold up each card and ask the class to say the word in unison.

2. Sight Words Story

   • Read a short story or a few sentences that include these sight words, diagraphs, and blends.
   • Ask students to raise their hand when they hear any sight word, diagraph, blend, or diphthong introduced earlier.

Closing (5 minutes)

1. Review and Recap

   • Recap all the sounds and words learnt.
   • Use a quick-fire round of flashcards to reinforce learning.

2. Reward and Praise

   • Hand out stickers or small rewards to everyone for participating.
   • End with a cheerful goodbye song that includes some of the new sounds and words learnt.

Assessment

• Observe students during activities to assess their ability to recognise and pronounce the targeted sounds.
• Informal questioning during the lesson to gauge understanding.
• Use the mix-and-match and story reading activities to identify students who may need extra help.

Differentiation

• Provide additional support through one-on-one or small group activities for students who need more time.
• Use more complex words and combinations for advanced learners to challenge them further.

This lesson plan encompasses various interactive activities designed to engage Year 1 students and build foundational skills in phonics following the UK curriculum standards.