Phonics for Kids Lesson 3: Letter Sounds j, v, w, x, y, z, qu and Blending (Free Worksheet)

What sound does X make at the end of fox? In Phonics Lesson 3, children learn the last letter sounds of the alphabet (j, v, w, x, y, z and qu) with picture words, then blend sounds to read words like jam, web, zip and quiz. They spot reading mistakes, play I Spy with sounds, and finish with a 5-question quiz.

1. Remember: Sounds, Not Names

• We know 19 sounds: s a t p i n m d g o c k e u r h b f l
• To read, we say the sounds, not the names.
• Today: j v w x y z qu

2. New Sounds: j v w y

• j – jar
• v – violin
• w – watermelon
• y – yo-yo

3. New Sounds: z x qu

• z – zebra
• x – fox
• qu – queen

4. Blend the Sounds to Read

j · a · m (jam), w · e · b (web), z · i · p (zip), qu · i · z (quiz)

5. Spot the Mistake

• ❌ w-e-b read as “double-u, e, b”  →  ✅ /w/ /e/ /b/ → web
• ❌ z-i-p read as “zap”  →  ✅ z-i-p → zip

6. Your Turn

Ask your child these questions. Answers are in brackets.

• What is the first sound in van? (/v/)
• What is the last sound in box? (/ks/)
• Blend: j · e · t (jet)
• Blend: y · e · s (yes)

7. Activity: I Spy Sounds

You need: a friend or parent, sharp eyes.

1. Say: “I spy something that starts with /w/!”
2. Your friend looks around: window, water, watch!
3. Take turns with /j/ /v/ /y/ /z/.

8. Quick Recap

• j v w y z each have their own sound.
• x says /ks/, like fox and box.
• qu says /kw/, like queen.
• Blend to read: j-a-m → jam, z-i-p → zip.

Free Worksheet

Download and print the worksheet (answer key included):

Phonics 3: Letter Sounds j v w x y z qu worksheet (PDF) →

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