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.