### Lesson Plan: Phonics – Consonant Blends (Initial Position)
**Grade Level:** Primary 1
**Subject:** English / Phonics
**Duration:** 60 minutes
**Objectives:**
- Students will identify and pronounce initial consonant blends (e.g., bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl).
- Students will develop the ability to blend sounds to form words.
- Students will enhance their reading skills using consonant blends.
**Materials Needed:**
- Flashcards with initial consonant blends (e.g., bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl)
- Word cards (e.g., blue, clap, flag, glass, plane, slide)
- Picture cards corresponding to word cards
- Whiteboard and markers
- Chart paper
- Glue and scissors (optional)
- Blending worksheets
- Audio clips of words with initial consonant blends (optional)
**Lesson Steps:**
### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Greeting and Objective Introduction:**
- Greet students and introduce the lesson topic: "Today, we are going to learn about consonant blends that appear at the beginning of words."
- Explain that consonant blends are two or more consonants blended together while each consonant retains its sound.
2. **Warm-Up Activity:**
- Ask students if they know any words that start with two consonants. Write their responses on the whiteboard.
### Direct Instruction (15 minutes)
1. **Introduce Consonant Blends:**
- Show each flashcard with initial consonant blends (bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl).
- Pronounce each blend clearly and have students repeat after you.
- Discuss how each blend sounds when pronounced slowly and then blended together.
2. **Blending Sound Practice:**
- Demonstrate how to blend sounds using a word from each blend group (e.g., "bl" in "blue," "cl" in "clap").
- Slowly blend each word by separating the initial blend from the rest of the word and then combining them (e.g., /b/ /l/ /u:/).
- Ask students to repeat the blending process.
### Guided Practice (20 minutes)
1. **Matching Activity:**
- Distribute word cards and picture cards to students.
- Have students match word cards with the correct picture cards.
- Once matched, ask students to practice saying the word while emphasizing the blend.
2. **Group Reading:**
- Divide students into small groups and give each group a short list of words that include initial consonant blends.
- Allow them to practice reading the words together.
### Independent Practice (10 minutes)
1. **Blending Worksheet:**
- Provide students with a worksheet containing words with missing blends (e.g., _lue, _lap).
- Instruct students to fill in the blanks with the correct consonant blend and then read the words aloud.
2. **Picture-Word Matching (if time allows):**
- Provide students with cut-out pictures and corresponding words. They should match pictures with the correct words that have initial consonant blends and glue them on chart paper.
### Conclusion (5 minutes)
1. **Review:**
- Recap the blends learned by asking students to name words they remember.
- Display the flashcards again and have students say the blends and words aloud as a class.
2. **Exit Ticket:**
- Give each student a small piece of paper and ask them to write one word that contains an initial consonant blend and draw a picture of it.
- Collect the exit tickets as they leave or transition to the next activity.
### Assessment:
- **Observation:** Monitor students during group and independent activities to ensure they can accurately blend and pronounce words.
- **Worksheets:** Review completed worksheets to check for understanding and correct blending.
- **Exit Ticket:** Assess students’ ability to recall and apply the lesson through their exit tickets.
**Extensions/Modifications:**
- **For Advanced Students:** Include more complex blends (e.g., tr, br, dr) and challenge them to write sentences using these words.
- **For Struggling Students:** Provide additional one-on-one practice with simpler blends and use visual aids for reinforcement.
**Reflection/Notes:**
- Note the students’ engagement and areas that might need more practice.
- Adjust future lessons based on observed difficulties or advanced understanding.
This lesson plan aims to create an engaging and supportive environment for young learners to master initial consonant blends through a variety of interactive and hands-on activities.