Consonant Clusters (Blends)

A consonant cluster (sometimes known as a consonant blend) is a group of consonants that appear together in a word without any vowels between them. When reading clusters, each letter within the cluster is pronounced individually. The following worksheets and activities help with initial and final clusters. These form part of the National Literacy Strategy for Year 1.

Initial Consonant Cluster Word Lists (PDF)
bl-	br-	cl-	cr-	dr-	fl-	fr-	gl-	gr-	pl-	pr-
sc-	sk-	sl-	sm-	sn-	sp-	squ-	st-	str-	sw-	tr-
Consonant Cluster / Vowel / Consonant (CCVC) Words

Final Consonant Cluster Word Lists (PDF)
-ct	-ft	-lb to -lt	-mp	-nd	-ng
-nk	-nt	-pt	-sk	-sp	-st
Consonant / Vowel / Consonant Cluster (CVCC) Words

Printable Consonant Cluster Worksheets & Resources (First School Years)
Resource Name	Type	Resource Name	Type
Consonant Cluster Flashcards	PDF	Initial Clusters - bl / br	PDF
Initial clusters - cl/cr (Y1)	PDF	Initial cluster - fl/fr (Y1)	PDF
Initial clusters - gl/gr (Y1)	PDF	Initial clusters - pl/pr (Y1)	PDF
Initial clusters - dr/tr (Y1)	PDF	Initial Clusters - S Clusters (1)	PDF
Initial Clusters - S Clusters (2)	PDF	Initial Clusters - tr/tw (Y1)	PDF
Mixed Initial Clusters (1)	PDF	Mixed Initial Clusters (2)	PDF
Mixed Initial Clusters (3)	PDF	CCVC Words (1)	PDF
CCVC Words (2)	PDF	Final cluster - nd (1)	Word
Final cluster - mixed (1)	Word	Initial Consonant Cluster Letter Cards	Word

Online and Interactive Consonant Cluster Resources (Games, Interactive Whiteboard, etc.)
Resource Name	Type	Resource Name	Type
Consonant Clusters Matching Squares	IOA	Initial Clusters Spelling	IOA
Final Clusters Spelling	IOA	Cluster Words Spelling	IOA

Third Party Consonant Cluster Resources
Resource Name	Type	Resource Name	Type
NLS Activity Resource Sheet (Final Clusters)	DFES	NLS Read and spell words with initial consonant clusters (1)	DFES
NLS Read and spell words with initial consonant clusters (2)	DFES	NLS Read and spell words with initial consonant clusters (3)	DFES
NLS 'S' Clusters Pictures (1)	DFES	NLS 'S' Clusters Pictures (2)	DFES
NLS Phonics Games to Play (1)	DFES	NLS 'B' Clusters Pictures	DFES
NLS Clusters - Onset and Rime	DFES	NLS Making Words	DFES

Purchasable Consonant Cluster Resources
Description	Download Size	Price
Initial Consonant Cluster Picture Cards - A set of 26 cards illustrating words which contain initial consonant clusters. To go with our free Initial Consonant Cluster Letter Cards (above). In Microsoft Word format ('97 or later).	2.27 MB	£1.50
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Consonant Cluster Links

BBC Words & Pictures: Consonant Clusters - An online, interactive activity and some printable worksheets.
ICT Games - Scroll down to Cluster Buster, a flash-based activity.
Crickweb's Flash Studio - Scroll down to Word Wheel 2, another flash-based activity.
Primary Resources: Literacy - A few printable activities in PDF format.
Teaching Ideas: Hot Potato - An idea for a consonant cluster game.
Sadlier-Oxford: Blends - Interactive activity.

Please e-mail us with useful links or if any of the above links are broken.

Recommended Consonant Cluster Book

Phonicability Games: Four Letter Words

Authors: Vera Conway, Jean De Lemos, Tony O'Donnell

Synopsis: Find the word • Speedy reading and speedy spelling • Smiley faces (find the missing letter) • The box game (read and match four-letter words) • Green for go (read and match four-letter words and pictures) • The sun, moon and stars games • Watch your partner (read and match four-letter words) • Consonant blend games • Sink the pirate ship

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Last updated: 15th October 2006