Videos are a truly engaging way to teach and reinforce phonics rules that require a ton of repetition and practice to master. I rounded up the best videos on blends so that you don’t have to!
Reading letter blends comes so easily to adults and fluent readers, it’s hard to comprehend what makes them so challenging to new readers. The letters aren’t making new sounds. They aren’t hard to say. What gives?
New readers get used to simple patterns like CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. They are used to sounding out letters in that specific order. Adding another constant in the mix can completely throw them off.
Using videos to teach letter blends (or consonant blends) gives kids the chance to get comfortable with blending letters in a fun and engaging way.
The Best Videos to Teach Letter Blends
Learning Videos for the Classroom
While I personally believe these videos are appropriate for preschool, kindergarten and first grade classrooms, remember that there can often be inappropriate ads before and after YouTube videos. Also, I always recommend previewing the full video before showing it to your class.
If you plan to show YouTube videos in your classroom, I highly recommend that you read this blog post by Catherine, the Brown Bag Teacher. She shares three ways to eliminate YouTube video ads so that you can safely play these learning videos in your classroom.
My Favorite Videos to Teach Letter Blends
What is a Blend?
This fun song is a perfect introduction to beginning letter blends with “r.” Jack Hartman gives the definition of “blend” several times throughout the video. He goes over each “r” blend by saying the sounds, blending them, and giving examples of words with the blend.
Learn to Read with Alphablocks
The Alphablocks are a favorite for kids and those of us who are trying to help those kids learn phonics. This video is L-O-N-G but has a lot of great blends practice.
My favorite part of this video shows how adding another consonant to make a blend can completely change a word! THANKFULLY there is an edited version that a starts right at that part.
This video is shorter cut of the much longer one above. The first two minutes are a great introduction to both beginning and ending blends. There are many other great parts that may be helpful for your kids as well if you have more time!
Blends Song
Jack Hartman (yes, a second video by him in this list! 😅) says “they are two letters that work together to help words begin” and does a hand movement that will help kids make the connection to blend them.
This video has a catchy song but can also be played without the sound. Kids can say the sounds separately, then together, then say the example.
Learn to Blend – Consonant Blends Chant
This video is SO perfect for practicing blends. It shows the two letters in the blend, says the sounds separately and together, then gives an example of the blend in a word.
It goes through a ton of both beginning and ending blends to give new readers plenty of practice. What more could we ask for?
Phonics Blends
This video goes through different blends like the video above. It says the sounds separately and blended, then gives an example of the word followed by the word in a sentence or short phrase.
There is one big difference though: the make silly sentences that are animated. Your kids will be cracking up if they’re anything like mine! ?
There are some great options to reinforce and practice letter blends with new readers on YouTube. Pair these videos with some blends sentences and reading passages and your kiddos will be mastering letter blends in no time!
Do you have any favorite letter blends videos that I missed? Let me know below!
