These are some of the strategies we use with students when we are working to decode new words.

1. Point to the word, and look closely at each letter. 

2. Tap your fingers and say each sounds all the way through the word.

If we are reading the word wish, students tap their fingers for each sound and say /w/ /i/ /sh/.  So there are 3 sounds and 3 taps. 

3. Blend the sounds together quickly to say the word. 

4. Think...does that word make sense?