Lesson 16: Cc /k/

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

What Will We Learn Today?

Today we’re learning the letter Cc, which spells the sound /k/—as in cat. This sound helps your child build and read many simple words. In this lesson, your child will learn how to say the /k/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Cc, and blend and read short words and sentences.

How to Make the /k/ Sound

The letter Cc often makes the /k/ sound, just like in cat, cap, and cop.

Here’s how to teach your child to say /k/:

• Open your mouth just a little.

• Lift the back of your tongue close to the roof of your mouth.

• Push the air out quickly.

• Do not use your voice—/k/ is an unvoiced stop sound, so it’s said quickly and sharply.

Say: /k/

Articulate
Model it together: “Let’s make the /k/ sound like a popping kernel—/k/!” Try whispering it and noticing how it feels different from voiced sounds like /g/.

How to Write the Letter Cc

Time to grab your whiteboard and marker!

Uppercase C

• Start at the top and draw a big curve to the left.

• Curve down and back to the right—but don’t close it. That’s your uppercase C.

Lowercase c

• Start in the middle and draw a small curve to the left, curving around to the right, just like the big C—but smaller.

Try writing it in the air, in sand, or on paper to make practice fun and multisensory.

Let’s Practice Reading Words

These CVC words use the /k/ sound spelled with c. Practice blending each one:

• can

• cat

• cap

• cop

• cot

• cam

• cod

• con

• cad

Say each word slowly:
“/k/ – /æ/ – /n/” → can

Then say the whole word fluently: can

Let’s Practice Reading Phrases

Use short, decodable phrases with the /k/ sound and other learned words:

• a sad cop

• a tan cap

• on the cot

• a tin can

• the cap

• Cam and Tom

Ask:

“Can you find a word that starts with /k/? Let’s blend and read it together.”

Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences

These short, connected sentences provide practice with fluency and comprehension:

• The cat sat on a cot.

• The cat did not fit on the cot.

• Can the cat fit on the mat?

• It can.

• The cat did nap on the mat.

Encourage your child to read with expression and confidence.

Let’s Practice Reading Sentences

Try these sentences together or independently:

• I can tap the cat.

• The cap did not fit.

• Can I nap on the cot?

• Cam sat on the cot.

Revisit and reread familiar sentences for fluency.

Color, Trace, and Write

Use printable worksheets where your child can:

• Color pictures that begin with /k/

• Trace uppercase and lowercase Cc

• Practice writing the letter independently

[Download the Cc Worksheet Here]

Flashcards – Beginning Sound Focus

Use flashcards with pictures of words that start with the /k/ sound spelled with Cc.

Examples:

• cat

• cap

• can

• cup

Say the name of each picture and ask:

“What sound does this word begin with?”
“What letter spells that sound?”

[Download Cc Flashcards – Beginning Sound Set Here]

Conclusion

The letter Cc opens up a new world of words with the strong, clear /k/ sound. With hands-on writing practice, careful listening, and blending activities, your child will grow in both confidence and fluency.

Keep practicing in short sessions, and don’t forget to celebrate progress. What /k/ word can your child think of today? Share it in the comments!