CVC words
Last updated
CVC words are three-letter words built from a consonant, a short vowel and a consonant, such as cat, sit and mop.
Topic: Reading and writing instruction
In plain terms
CVC words are usually the first words students decode, because each letter stands for one sound and the vowel is short. They are used to teach blending and segmenting with print. Instruction usually starts with a few high-utility consonants and one or two short vowels, so students can read real words within the first lessons. After CVC words, students typically move to words with blends (CCVC, CVCC) and digraphs.
How it shows up in an IEP
Early decoding goals often target CVC words: "will read 20 CVC words, including nonsense words, with 90% accuracy." Including nonsense CVC words checks true decoding.
Example
A kindergartner reads "pig," "hop" and "rug" by sounding each letter and blending, then reads a decodable sentence with CVC words.
Related terms
- PhonicsPhonics is instruction that teaches how letters and letter patterns represent the sounds of spoken language, so students can decode and spell words.
- DecodingDecoding is using knowledge of letter-sound patterns to read a printed word by turning letters into sounds and blending them.
- Phonemic awarenessPhonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify and change the individual sounds, called phonemes, in spoken words.
- Syllable typesSyllable types are the six common patterns of English syllables, each signaling how the vowel is likely to sound.
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