Phonics Step 2: Introduce the consonants and their sounds
using Chart 2.
Goals: In step 2, the primary goals are learning the consonants and their sounds using
clue words.
Remember, Steps 1 - 3 will be introduced separately, but will be combined quickly.
Step 2: How-To Ideas
Introduce the consonants and their sounds using Chart 2 and individual flash cards for each consonant.
CAUTION: Consonants do not have strong sounds until they are coupled with vowels. Therefore, when you introduce them, they will be more like a whisper of a sound. Consider the letter ‘m.’ Don’t give it a ‘muh’ sound--that is actually three sounds put together. Just put your lips together and make a mild ‘m’ sound. This is really tricky and if you just can’t get the hang of it, don’t worry! As soon as you reach Step 3, the problem will disappear on its own.
By this time, a beginning reader will have a large enough spoken vocabulary to help you hunt for things that begin with the letters you are introducing and drilling. You can also use flash cards and activities like the ones that follow.
A Note Concerning Steps 1-3:
Progress on to Step 3 BEFORE your child has mastered all of the consonants, remembering that it is very important that you continue drilling until there is no hesitation in identifying and pronouncing the short vowels AND the consonants!
This completes our Step 2 ideas. Now let’s move on to Step 3.