Explanation of Key Concept Terms
Phoneme - the smallest speech sound into which a spoken word
can be divided. The word mat has three phonemes -/m/ /a/ /t/.
The word chain also has 3 phonemes - /ch/ /ai/ /n/. Jump has 4
phonemes /j/ /u/ /m/ /p/.
Consonant blends – two or three consonants grouped together in
which the sound of each consonant is retained (bl, cl, pr, tr, sm,
st, scr, str).
Digraphs – a pair of letters representing a single speech sound.
Consonant digraphs – two or more consonants grouped
together that produce one sound (th –that, sh – ship, ph –
phone).
Vowel digraphs – two vowels grouped together in which one
sound, usually the long sound, of one of the vowels letters is
heard (bead, boat, beet, bay).
Fluency – is to read expressively, meaningfully, in appropriate
phrases, at appropriate rates, and without word recognition
difficulty.
Word patterns (word families, phonograms) – the part of a word
or syllable that contains the vowel and any consonants that follow
the vowel. They are easily recognized and are consistent in the
sound or sound combinations they represent (ap, ock, ack, ick,
ide).