Materials: Whiteboard and markers
1. Draw two 3×3 grids. Put beginning consonants in the left grid (b, p, g, m, f, h…) and rimes/endings in the right grid (at, ig, og, op, ap, ee…).
2. Secretly choose several pairs. Students combine one item from each grid and try to find the hidden words: b + at → bat, p + ig → pig, d + og → dog.
3. After the matching round, keep the same grids for dictation. Say a word created from the two grids and have students write what they hear.
4. After checking, invite a student to erase the two grid cells used in that word. As the grids shrink, the task becomes easier—great for students who need more scaffolding.
💡 Blending and segmenting do not have to be taught in a strict order; alternating between them helps reinforce both skills.