Word Ladders:
Use a series of words such as the following lists to
show how small changes in sound make a new word. You
child can read the words in the list or you can dictate
them one at a time and they can write the words in the
list.
Examples:
bit
bat
cat
cab
tab
tan
tin
fin
fib
rib
rob
sob
fit
fat
fan
than
that
sat
sit
sin
chin
thin
thick
stick
mop
top
tip
tin
bin
ban
back
buck
luck
stuck
stick
stiff
take
flake
fluke
flute
flume
flame
same
sale
male
mule
rule
rude
pig
pin
pit
pot
pod
rod
rob
rub
rust
trust
dust
dull
set
let
lot
spot
spit
kit
hit
hut
fin
fish
dish
dim
As you can see, only one part of each word changes
after each move. Children learn that different letters
represent different sounds and different sounds change
the meaning.