CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.3d

ELAKindergartenPhonics and Word Recognition

The Standard

Distinguish between similarly spelled words by identifying the sounds of the letters that differ.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students compare two words that look almost alike. They find the changed letter, say its sound in each word, and use that sound to read the words.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a pair such as “map” and “mop,” students point to the changed letter and say each sound. They blend the sounds and read both words correctly.
Common Misconceptions: Students may look only at the first or last letter and miss a change in the middle. They may say letter names instead of letter sounds. Some guess from the picture without checking every letter.
How to Assess It: Show the words “pig” and “pug.” Ask students to circle the changed letter, say both vowel sounds, and read each word aloud.

Lesson moves

Build “cat” with letter tiles, replace the middle tile to make “cot,” then say and blend both words.
Ask, “How are ‘hen’ and ‘pen’ alike and different?” and have students explain using letter sounds.
Play Word Pair Bingo by calling two similar words while students cover the letter that changes on their word cards.
Compare picture labels such as “cup” and “cap,” then match each label to the correct classroom object or picture.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.3d, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

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