It may, perhaps, annoy you that I'm teaching the "augh" sound as a rule, when in fact there is only one word in the (American) English language that
Teaching the ir Sound
Here is yet another way to spell er. Or is it ur? No matter. Here it is: ir! All you have to do is introduce the sound, help your student sound out
Blend #18: ould
With Daughter A., I taught the word could as a sight word, and really regretted it. I didn't make the same mistake with Daughter Q. Here is the
Blend #17: old
I probably should teach this as a separate blend because there are other rules I could use, but it has always seemed expedient to teach it this way.
Teaching the ew Sound: Not As Disgusting as it Sounds!
Long before my students can spell this blend, they are able to look at something they consider gross (like a spider) and say "EWWWWW!!!!" at the top
Blend #15: ur
Say errrrrrrr I tell my students. And then they practice some words which use the new sound. Here's the binder card: