Consonant Blends

br

bl

cl

cr dr gr gl

pr

fr

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
black blame blank blast bleed blend blind block bloom blow blue blush

Say bl
black blame blank blast bleed blend blind block bloom blow blue blush

Say br
brag brain brake brand brave breeze brick bring broke broom brother brown brush

Say cl
clam clap class claw clay clean climb clock close clown

Say cr
crab crack crash creep crib crime crop cross crow

Say dr
drag draw dream dress drip drop drum dry

Say fl
flag flake flame flap flash flat flip float flow flower fly flood

Say fr
frame free freeze fresh friend frog from front fry frisbee

Say gl
glad glade glass glide glib glove glow glue

Say gr
grab grape grass green grim grip grow growl

Say pl
place plan plane plate play please plot plug plus plant

Say pr
press price pride prince prize probe problem pretend present program predict

Say sl
slam slap sled sleep slid slide slip slow

Say sm
small smart smell smile smog smoke

Say st
stand staple step steep sting stop store story

Say sw
sweet swim switch swine swing sweep swam swat

Say sp
space spice spin spot spoon sport speak spoke special

Say sn
snap snail snake snout snoop snare snack snort snore

Say sk
skip skate skirt skin skinny skateboard skunk sketch

Say sc
scam scope scooter scoop scare scold scorpion

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.