Quick and Quacky

Curriculum Area

Subject: English (Phonics)
Level: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Letters and Sounds Phase 3

Learning Objectives

• Recognise and pronounce the phoneme "qu".
• Blend and segment words containing "qu".
• Recall tricky words: me, be, she, he, his, they, are, you.

---

Lesson Structure (12 Minutes)

1. Warm-Up – Tricky Word Blast (3 mins)

💡 Engaging, fast-paced recall using actions and voices

• Display tricky words on flashcards.
• Say a tricky word, and students repeat it using different voices (e.g., whisper, robot, superhero).
• Introduce actions:
  • “Me” – Point to chest; “Be” – Flap hands like a bee
  • “She/He” – Point to a friend; “They” – Group hug motion
  • “Are” – Hands wide like asking a question; “You” – Point outward
• Conduct a quickfire challenge—place words around the room and call out one for students to find and stand beside.

---

2. Introducing "Qu" (3 mins)

🦆 Interactive and memorable phoneme learning

• Write "qu" on the board and introduce a puppet named Quentin the Quacking Duck.
• Emphasise that "qu" always sticks together like best friends.
• Model the "qu" sound with exaggerated lip movement and let students copy.
• Invite the class to quack like ducks while saying "qu" together.
• Walk around, tapping students gently on the shoulder—when tapped, they must say "qu" while flapping like a duck.

---

3. Quick "Qu" Hunt (3 mins)

🔎 Active engagement using real-world connections

• Show a tray with objects (e.g., a quilt, queen, quill, question mark cutout, quarter).
• Say a word, and students must decide if it starts with "qu" by giving a thumbs up or down.
• Use a small duck puppet to ‘pick’ students for answers.
• Add a little challenge: sneaky items that do not start with "qu" (dog, apple, toy car)—can they spot the trick?

---

4. "Qu" Words in Action (3 mins)

📖 Blending and segmenting with movement

• Play a “Quick or Slow?” game:
  • Show simple "qu" words (quiz, quick, quack, quit).
  • If it’s a ‘quick’ word, students jump up. If it’s a ‘slow’ word, they sit down.
• Stretchy Sounds: Break down a word (qu-i-ck), and students blend it back together by stretching their arms out and clapping when it’s complete.

---

Assessment Opportunities

• Observe correct pronunciation of "qu".
• Check tricky word recognition in warm-up activity.
• Listen for blending and segmenting success in the “Quick or Slow?” game.

---

Extension and Differentiation

• Support: One-to-one prompting for hesitant learners in the warm-up.
• Challenge: Can students make their own nonsense "qu" words (quib, quop)?

---

Resources Needed

✔ Flashcards with tricky words
✔ Quentin the Quacking Duck puppet
✔ Objects with and without "qu"
✔ Large "qu" flashcard

🚀 Wow Factor: Transform the classroom into a mini duck pond—scatter blue fabric on the floor and have students stand around it while practising the "qu" sounds!

---

Teacher Reflection Prompt

• Which activities excited the class the most?
• Who needs more support with tricky words?
• How well did students blend "qu" words?

👏 This phonics session ensures laughter, movement, and strong phonics retention—all in just 12 minutes!