Lesson 10: Ii /ɪ/

Help Your Child Learn to Say, Write, and Read with the Letter Ii!

What Will We Learn Today?

Today we’re exploring the letter Ii, which spells the short vowel sound /ɪ/—as in itch or in. In this lesson, your child will learn to say the /ɪ/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Ii, blend and read decodable words, and practice reading short phrases and sentences that include this new vowel.

How to Make the /ɪ/ Sound

The letter Ii makes the short /ɪ/ sound, as in insect, itch, and igloo.

Here’s how to help your child say /ɪ/:

• Open your mouth just a little.

• Keep your tongue relaxed in the middle of your mouth and slightly raised.

• Turn your voice on—this is a voiced sound.

• Say: /ɪɪɪ/. It’s a continuous sound, so you can stretch it.

Articulate
Say the sound slowly and clearly with your child: /ɪɪɪ/. Ask, “Can you feel your voice buzzing?” Try saying /ɪ/ while pointing to words that use it.

How to Write the Letter Ii

Time to grab your whiteboard and marker.

Uppercase I

• Draw a straight vertical line from top to bottom.

• Then draw a small horizontal line at the top.

• Draw another horizontal line at the bottom.

Lowercase i

• Draw a short vertical line downward.

• Lift your pencil and place a small dot right above the line.

Try writing with chalk, markers, or even your finger in the air.

Fun and Meaningful Activities for Letter Ii

Ii Sound Hunt

Help your child listen for the short /ɪ/ sound in the middle of words. Unlike consonants, vowels are often practiced in the middle position.

Say these words aloud:

• sip

• pit

• fit

• tip

Ask:

“What sound do you hear in the middle of this word?”

Read and Blend Short Words

Let’s practice blending letters together to read short words that use /ɪ/ in the middle. Encourage your child to sound out and blend:

Reading Words:

• if

• it

• its

• fit

• sit

• sip

• tip

• pit

• Tim

Model first: “/s/ – /ɪ/ – /t/” → sit
Then have your child try it on their own.

Read Short Phrases

Use simple phrases to build fluency with the /ɪ/ sound and review previously learned words.

Reading Phrases:

• Tim and I

• at the pit

• its tip

• the pit

• Sam and Tim

• at the tip

Ask:

“Can you find the word with the /ɪ/ sound in the middle?”

Read Connected Sentences

Try these short decodable sentences. Read them together or echo read line by line:

• Tim and I sit at the mat.

• Tim and I fit.

• I tap the map.

• Tim and I tap the map.

• Tim and I tap its tip.

Read Full Sentences

Encourage independent reading or partner reading:

• I sit at the mat.

• Sam and I sat at the tip.

• Tim and I sit.

• Sam, Pat, Tim, and I fit.

These early reading sentences use familiar sounds and sight words for confident practice.

Color, Trace, and Write

Use printable worksheets where your child can:

• Color pictures with the /ɪ/ sound

• Trace uppercase and lowercase Ii

• Practice writing the letter Ii

[Download the Ii Worksheet Here]

Flashcards – Middle Sound Focus

Since Ii is a vowel, flashcards should focus on middle sounds in CVC words. Say each word and stretch the middle sound.

Examples:

• sit

• pit

• tip

• sip

Ask:

“What sound do you hear in the middle of this word?”

[Download Ii Flashcards – Middle Sound CVC Set Here]

Conclusion

The letter Ii introduces a new short vowel sound that helps children unlock many simple words. With focused sound practice, blending, and sentence reading, your child will grow in confidence and fluency—one word at a time.

Make it playful, keep it consistent, and celebrate progress. What new /ɪ/ word can your child read today? Share it in the comments!