This week, we are tackling three consonant blends like string, spring, strong, and shrimp — words that look simple but require serious brain work for young readers.

In this episode of The Education Connection, I break down:

• What three letter blends actually are

• Why students sometimes drop a sound when reading them • How to slow down instruction to build confidence

• Why we should build words before asking students to read them

• Four simple, no purchase at-home activities parents can use right away

You’ll learn how to help students tap each sound, isolate the blend, and slide into the full word without losing a consonant along the way.

Because when sounds stack up, we don’t rush. We build it before we read it.

I also share encouragement from Isaiah 61:3 about putting on a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness — because stretching into harder reading skills takes patience for both kids and adults.

🎁 Free Download

I’ve created a free “Three Consonant Blend Guide” practice worksheet to go along with this lesson.

You can grab your free copy here:

👉 Three Consonant Blend Guide

Use it in small groups, send it home for extra practice, or use it as an intervention support tool.

If you’re teaching blends this week or supporting a young reader at home, this episode will give you practical tools and encouragement to keep going.

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In this episode, Robin Wilson breaks down a common phonics mystery: why some students know their letter sounds but still struggle to blend words. Blending is not just one skill. There are different reasons a child might get stuck, and each one needs a different kind of support.

Robin explains three specific blending breakdowns teachers see in early readers: sound production, sound linking, and sound memory. You will learn how to recognize each one and, more importantly, what to do about it. This episode is packed with simple, hands-on classroom activities like mirror mouth work, sound trains, and sound buttons that help students physically connect sounds into words.

If you have students who freeze when reading, guess instead of blend, or get frustrated during decoding, this episode will give you practical tools and encouragement. Growth takes time, and you are planting seeds every day.

Scripture encouragement from Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary in doing good, because the harvest comes in its season.

Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.

Get Ready for Kindergarten

Get Ready for First Grade

Get Ready for Second Grade

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In this episode of The Education Connection, we’re talking about a simple phonics pattern first graders are learning to notice — two vowels together. I share how to teach EA, EE, OA, AI, UE, and UI using easy, no-prep classroom activities you can start this week. I also share a personal reflection after missing last week due to sickness and a reminder from Romans 8:26 that even when we don’t know what to do in our classrooms, the Spirit helps us. Practical teaching and encouragement for the heart.

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