Boxi Learn › English › Stage 1 · Observe and Say
Change one letter, get a new word
EN-1 Letters stand for soundsX-1 Guess, then check
What many people think
Every English word has to be memorised by its shape.
The idea
Letters stand for sounds; blend the sounds and you can read a word you have never seen.
Explain it
A friend says English words can only be memorised one by one, like pictures. Use three letters to show them why that isn't true.
Try at home
Write c, a and t on three paper cards, plus spare cards with other letters. Take turns swapping one card and reading the new word aloud — real or nonsense.