Consonant Blends

bl

prdr

fr

crbr

gl

cl

gr

Definition: Consonant blends are groups of two or three

consonants that are

The effect is that the sound of each given consonant in the blend is produced but so quickly that the sounds combine and blend together in a smooth manner.

Examples of consonant blends include the "bl" in blossom; the "tr" in track; the "pl" in reply; the "ft" in after; the "nd" in send and the "mp" in stamp.

Three Syllables Blend: Consonant blends can also be constructed from

three syllables placed together, with the effect being the same as two-syllable blends.

Most three-syllable consonant blends begin with the letter "s"

Example: The "str" in straw; the "scr" in scruffy, the "spl" in split; the "str" in strike

and the "spr" in spring.

Consonant Blends vs Consonant Digraphs:

In consonant blends the original sounds of the consonant letters are still heard.

In consonant digraphs the two consonants are placed together to effectively produce an entirely new sound while the original sounds of the letters generally disappear or are dramatically altered.

Examples of consonant digraphs include the "sh" in shutter; the "ch" in chapter; the "th" in theater; the "wh" in who and the "ph" in photograph.

Locations of Consonant Blends:

Combinations of consonants that produce consonant blends must reside in the same syllable.

Furthermore, the blends can be placed in any syllable within the word, although blends are generally located in the first syllable of the word, known as initial consonant word blends, or in the last syllable in the word, known as final consonant word blends.

Examples of initial blends include the "br" in break and the "fl" in flag. Examples of final blends include the "lb" in bulb and the "nt" in pavement.

Say “bl”blackblameblankblastbleedblend

blindblockbloomblowblueblush

Say “bl”blackblameblankblastbleedblend

blindblockbloomblowblueblush

Say “br”bragbrainbrakebrandbravebreezebrick

bringbrokebroombrotherbrownbrush

Say “cl”clamclapclassclawclay

cleanclimbclockcloseclown

Say “cr”crabcrackcrashcreepcrib

crimecropcrosscrow

Say “dr”dragdrawdreamdress

dripdropdrumdry

Say “fl”flagflakeflameflapflashflat

flipfloatflowflowerflyflood

Say “fr”framefreefreezefreshfriend

frogfromfrontfryfrisbee

Say “ gl”gladgladeglassglide

glibgloveglowglue

Say “gr”grabgrapegrassgreen

grimgripgrowgrowl

Say “pl”placeplanplaneplateplay

pleaseplotplugplusplant

Say “pr”presspriceprideprinceprizeprobe

problempretendpresentprogrampredict

Say “sl”slamslapsledsleep

slidslideslipslow

Say “sm”smallsmartsmell

smilesmogsmoke

Say “st”standstaplestepsteep

stingstopstorestory

Say “sw”sweetswimswitchswine

swingsweepswamswat

Say “sp”spacespicespinspotspoon

sportspeakspokespecial

Say “sn”snapsnailsnakesnoutsnoop

snaresnacksnortsnore

Say “sk”skipskateskirtskin

skinnyskateboardskunksketch

Say “sc”scamscopescooterscoop

scarescoldscorpion

Say “sc”You may want to remind teachers

that consonant blends SK and ST also appear at the end of words. Might want to give examples. Also might want to include TR.