lesson
Listen to the next sound
1 · Learn
Use a before a consonant sound and an before a vowel sound. Listen to the sound that comes next, not only the first written letter.
We say an apple and a pear. We say an hour because the h is silent, and a uniform because uniform starts with a 'yoo' sound. Try saying the phrase aloud.
2 · Worked example
In 'an old tree', old comes immediately after the article, so its opening vowel sound matters even though tree starts with a consonant sound.
3 · Your turn
Choose a or an: ___ orange; ___ small orange; ___ umbrella.
Check your answer
An orange; a small orange; an umbrella. Listen to the first sound in the word immediately following a or an.
4 · Apply your learning
Describe three classroom objects using a or an plus an adjective. Read each phrase aloud to check its opening sounds.
Adult guidance and safety
Read aloud together where needed. Discuss more than one reasonable answer to open questions. These short original texts support, but do not replace, whole books, oral discussion, a school-matched phonics programme where needed, or regular handwriting and spelling practice.
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