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The "ai" Sound

Welcome back to Read Not Guess. Today we’re going to work on the “ai” sound like in the words “rain” or “pain.”


Both parent and child will need to be able to see the screen.


Let’s get started.


Today’s Letter Sounds


Explain to your child that the "ai” letter combination usually makes the long “a” sound.


Have them say the sounds as they point to the letters:


r ai n

r ain

rain


Did they get it right? Make sure they’re reading the word “rain” as one sound by the end. Let’s do some more:


train

gain

stain

chain

remain


And:


aid

raid

paid

maid


And:


bait

wait

traitor


Exception!


Unfortunately, English has some funny rules, and the “ai” makes a different sound when it is followed by an “r.”


One example of this is a very common word that means two things that match, like in the sentence, “I have a pair of shoes.” Have your child point to the letters as they read the word “pair” three times:


p ai r

p air

pair


Have them read a few more “air” words:


hair

chair

stair


Silly Sentences


See if your child can read these:


Where is the waiter? I need some more water.


The air up there is fair.


My brain hurts.


If they read these smoothly, great! If they stumble, have them keep practicing.


That’s it for today. We’ll see you next time.

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