Onsets & Rimes
Basics on the topic Onsets & Rimes
Onset and Rime
What is Onset and Rime? Let’s learn more about onset and rime words and how to teach onset and rime with the explanation below. Following the video about onset and rime, you will find blend onset and rime worksheets and blending onset and rime activities.
Definition – Onset
First, let’s define onset and rime. An onset is the beginning sound in a word. It's made up of one, two, or three consonant letters blended together.
Words change meaning when their onsets change. For example, if you switch the ‘C’ in cat with an ‘H’, the word changes from a furry friend to something you wear on your head!
- cat → hat
If you switch the BL in blink with a W, you get a wink!
- blink → wink
Definition – Rime
A rime is the ending sound in a word. It's the group of letters that follow the onset. Rimes are usually made up of a vowel and consonants.
Why is rime important? Rimes have patterns that readers can use to help them learn words. Look at the following words:
- crate, date, gate, plate, and skate
What do you notice? They all have the same rime, or ending sound of ‘ate.’ Learning to blend onsets and rimes helps us learn to read and write.
Onset and Rime – Examples
It’s easiest to teach using onset and rime examples. Let’s start with onset-rime segmentation using the onset is ‘M’ and the rime is ‘OP.’
First, say the sounds slowly. Then, blend them by saying it faster this time: mop!
When you blend the sounds ‘M’ and ‘OP’ together you make the word mop!
Let’s try some more examples of onset and rime. Try blending ‘ST’ and ‘AR’. First, say the sounds slowly. Then, blend by saying them faster. What word do you make? Star!
| Onset | Rime |
|---|---|
| ST | AR |
Now try blending ‘F’ and ‘OX.’ First, say the sounds slowly. Then, blend by saying them faster. What word do you make? Fox!
| Onset | Rime |
|---|---|
| F | OX |
Onset and Rime – Summary
Onset and Rime are two words that describe the beginning and the end of a word. Here are the key facts on onset, rime and the blending of onset and rime:
| Term | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| onset | An onset is the beginning sound in a word. | sl - ow |
| rime | A rime is the ending sound in a word. | sl - ow |
| to blend | Blending onsets and rimes means to connect both and read out the word. It helps us learn to read and write. |
slow |
Do you want some more practice? You can find interactive exercises on onset and rime on this platform as well as worksheets and more activities for practicing onsets and rimes for kindergarten level.
Transcript Onsets & Rimes
It's Dee and Kala's first day working at the Fountain Shop. But, instead of mixing ice cream to make milkshakes, this shop blends onsets and rimes to make words! Dee and Kala need to blend the sounds just right. Let's help them by learning about 'Onset and Rimes.' An onset is the beginning sound in a word. It's made up of one, two, or three consonant letters blended together like the ‘C’ kuh sound in cat or the ‘BL’ bull sound in blink. Words change meaning when their onsets change. For example, when we switch the first sound kuh in cat with huh, the word changes from a furry friend to something you wear on your head! A rime is the ending sound in a word. It's the group of letters that follow the onset. Rimes are usually made up of a vowel and consonants. Like the ‘AT’ at sound in cat or the ‘INK’ ink sound in blink. Rimes have patterns that readers can use to help them learn words. Listen carefully: crate, date, gate, plate, skate. Did you notice anything? They all have the same rime, or ending sound: ATE. Learning to blend onsets and rimes helps us learn to read and write. Let's practice blending Dee and Kala's first onset-and-rime order to make a word! The onset is ‘M’ mmm The rime is ‘OP’ op. Let's say the sounds together: mmm, op. Let's blend them faster MOP! Blending mmm and op makes mop! The next customer ordered ‘ST’ st and ‘AR’ ar. Let's say the onset and rime together: st, ar. Let's blend them faster now: star! Blending st and ar makes star! Another customer ordered the onset and rime fff and ox. Do you know which word we make when we blend them together: flag or fox? Fff, ox makes fox! The last customer ordered the onset and rime sl and eep. Do you know which word we make when we blend them together: sleep or beep? Sl, eep makes sleep! While Dee and Kala fill the last orders, let's remember! Today we learned about onsets and rimes! An onset is the beginning sound in a word. A rime is the ending sound in a word. Learning to blend onsets and rimes helps us learn to read and write. "Look at all the happy customers, Kala!" "I think we're off to a great st, art!"
