Phonics rules cheat sheet

Phonics Rules Cheat Sheet

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Everyone wants their child to ace at whatever they do. Be it arts, crafts, reading, writing, sports, and whatnot. And as parents, we’d want to do whatever we can to help our children succeed in school. One of the best ways to do that is by helping them learn how to read and that can be done by learning phonics rules

Phonics is the process of learning how to read by sounding out words. There are specific phonics rules that help children learn how to read and spell words. This cheat sheet lists some of the most common phonics rules so that you can help your child or student become a successful reader.

But there are so many rules and it can be hard to remember them all! That’s where this cheat sheet comes in handy. It lists the most crucial phonics rules your child needs to know in order for them to be a successful reader. So let’s dive deep into this post and learn more about Phonics rules and the cheat sheet that comes along with it. Have a look below.

10 Important phonics rules you must know about

Phonics is a way of teaching children to read and spell words by sounding them out. Several phonetic rules are crucial for children to learn in order to be successful readers. Below discussed are 10 crucial phonics rules that you must certainly know about. 

1. Every word has at least one vowel sound.

2. Most words have more than one syllable.

3. Syllables are divided by vowel sounds, not by consonants.

4. Most words have at least one consonant sound after the first vowel sound.

5. Most words have stress or emphasis on one syllable more than others

6. Usually, the stressed syllable is the one with the long vowel sound

7. The number of times a vowel is sounded in a word often determines the number of letters used to represent that vowel

8. Two vowels together usually make a long vowel sound (e.g., ‘ea’ in ‘bean’)

9. A vowel by itself is usually short (e.g., ‘a’ in ‘bat’)

10. Many words have silent letters (letters that are not pronounced but affect the pronunciation of the word, e.g., the ‘b’ in ‘doubt’)

1. Cheat Sheet for short vowels

A vowel is a sound that is produced when the vocal cords vibrate and air escapes through the mouth. There are five short vowel sounds in English: ah, ee, ih, oh, uh.

Each short vowel has a unique sound and can be used to spell different words. Let’s have a look at this cheat sheet that will help you learn how to pronounce each short vowel sound and spell words using them.

How to get started?

Short vowels are usually pronounced like their long counterparts, except for the letter “e.” This is because the letter “e” is pronounced like a short “i” sound.

Here are some examples of words with short vowel sounds:

Cat – pronounced like “kat.”

bed – pronounced like “bid.”

led – pronounced like “lid.”

Rug – pronounced like “rig.”

  • Try saying the word without the final consonant sound when pronouncing a word with a short vowel sound. For example, the word “led” would be pronounced like “le” without the “d” sound.

Here are some more examples for you to practice with:

Example 1: A – like ‘a’ in ‘apple’

Example 2: E – like ‘e’ in ‘egg’

Example  3: I – like ‘i’ in ‘igloo’

Example 4: O – like ‘o’ in ‘orange’

Example  5: U – like ‘u’ in ‘umbrella’

Tip: Remember, when a word has two vowels side by side, the first vowel is usually long and the second is silent (like in the word ‘beach’). So when you see a word with two vowels side by side, make sure to say the first vowel sound twice as long.

Now that you know the short vowel sounds, try using them in some words.

Here are a few examples for you to practice.

Example 1: cat, hat, rat, bat

Example 2: bed, red, fed, led

Example 3: big, pig, dig, fig

Example 4: box, fox, ox

Example 5: bug, mug, jug

Tip: Some words have a silent “e” at the end, which changes the vowel sound from short to long. For example, the word “cake” would be pronounced like “kayk” without the silent “e.”

Remember, say the word without the final consonant sound when in doubt to help you identify the correct vowel sound. With a little practice, you’ll be able to pronounce short vowels correctly in no time!

2. Cheat sheet for long vowels

When pronouncing long vowel sounds, there are a few things to remember. Let’s have a look at them comprehensively to understand the basics of it.

How to Get Started?

  • Firstly, you must ensure that your mouth is positioned correctly. This means keeping your tongue behind your teeth and not letting it touch the roof of your mouth.
  • Next, you’ll want to focus on using consistent airflow when pronouncing long vowels. This means exhaling slowly and evenly throughout the entire sound. 
  • Lastly, don’t be afraid to stretch the vowel sound itself. By over pronouncing and repeatedly speaking the vowel out loud you will be able to pronounce the word correctly.

Now that you know how to pronounce long vowels let’s look at some examples.

Example 1:

  • When pronouncing the long A sound, you’ll want to ensure that your mouth is in the shape of an elongated oval.
  • In addition, the tongue should be behind the teeth, and the airflow should be consistent throughout.
  • To over-pronounce, the vowel sound, try saying “ay” instead of “a.”

Example 2: 

  • The long E sound is pronounced similarly to the long A sound but with a slightly different mouth position. You’ll want to round your lips and keep your tongue behind your teeth for this sound.
  • Again, as with the long A sound, you’ll want to use a consistent airflow and over-pronounce the vowel sound by saying “ee” instead of “e.”

Example 3:

  • The long ‘I’ sound is made by holding your mouth in a wide, open position.
  • The tongue should be behind the teeth, and the airflow should be consistent.
  • Try saying “eye” instead of “I” to over pronounce the vowel sound.

Example 4:

  • The long O sound is made by holding your mouth in an oval shape and keeping your tongue behind your teeth.
  • As with the other long vowel sounds, you’ll want to use a consistent airflow and over-pronounce the vowel sound by saying “oh” instead of “o.”

Example 5: 

  • The long U sound is made by holding your mouth in a wide, open position and keeping your tongue behind your teeth.
  • The airflow should be consistent throughout. To over pronounce the vowel sound, try saying “you” instead of “u.”

By following these simple tips, you’ll be well at pronouncing long vowel sounds correctly. Just remember to keep your mouth in the correct position, use a consistent airflow, and don’t be afraid to over pronounce the vowel sound itself.

How can students use this cheat sheet?

A phonics cheat sheet can be extremely helpful for students struggling to read and pronounce words correctly. By providing a list of common letter-sound combinations, students can quickly and easily identify the correct pronunciation of unfamiliar words.

A phonics cheat sheet can help students to spell words correctly by providing them with a quick reference guide to common spelling patterns.

There are a few different ways that students can use a phonics cheat sheet.

  • It can be used as a reference tool when they are learning new words. This can help them to remember the correct pronunciation of a word, as well as its meaning.
  • A phonics cheat sheet can also be used to review previously learned material. By looking at the cheat sheet, students can quickly see which words they need to review and which ones they have already mastered.
  • A phonics cheat sheet can also be used as a tool for testing their knowledge. By using the cheat sheet, students can quiz themselves on their understanding of various words and concepts.

This is an excellent way to ensure that they are mastering the material and retaining what they have learned. Overall, a phonics cheat sheet is an incredibly versatile tool that can be used in a variety of ways. By utilizing this resource, students can improve their skills and knowledge in no time at all! 

Conclusion

Phonics plays a crucial role in the English language. And while understanding and learning the essentials of it is important, knowing how it’s done and used is of equal value. Through this post, we hope that our phonics rules list cheat sheet helped you in understanding the fundamentals of phonics. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep working on your ward’s reading and pronunciation skills to help them become a pro at it.

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