Lesson 35: Vv /v/
Help Your Child Learn to Say, Write, and Read with the Letter Vv!
What Will We Learn Today?
Today we’re learning the letter Vv, which spells the sound /v/—as in van or vet. In this lesson, your child will learn how to say the /v/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Vv, and blend and read short words, phrases, and connected sentences using this vibrant, voiced consonant.
How to Make the /v/ Sound
The /v/ sound is a voiced, continuous consonant made with your teeth and lip.
Here’s how to help your child say it:
Gently place your top teeth on your bottom lip.
Turn your voice on.
Let the air flow out while your vocal cords vibrate: /vvvvv/
This is the same mouth position as /f/, but with the voice turned on.
Articulate
Say it together:
“Let’s say /v/ like in van—/vvvvv/!”
Stretch the sound out: /vvvvv/
Ask your child to feel their throat buzz as they say it.
How to Write the Letter Vv
Time to grab your whiteboard and marker!
Uppercase V
Draw a slanted line going down.
Then draw another slanted line going up to the right, forming a sharp point at the bottom.
Lowercase v
Use the same motion as uppercase V, but make it smaller.
Try rainbow writing, tracing, or finger painting to reinforce letter formation.
Let’s Practice Reading Words
Blend and read these short /v/ words:
vast – van – vent – vet – vat – vest
Model:
“/v/ – /æ/ – /n/” → van
Blend slowly, then fluently.
Let’s Practice Reading Phrases
the hot vent
the van and vet
the red vat
the fit vet
a big van
the red vest
a vast vat
I said to the vet
Ask your child to read each phrase aloud, then pick their favorite to act out or draw.
Let’s Practice Reading Sentences
The vet is in the red van.
Vin said, “The vest is big.”
The vent is flat and hot.
I do the job as the vet.
Encourage your child to underline the words with the /v/ sound.
Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences
The vet went to the lab.
He had a red vest and a flat tag.
A man said, “Did Max ask to do the job?”
The vet said, “Yes, Max did. I had to do the job.”
Ask:
What did the vet wear?
What job did he do?
Who asked about Max?
Color, Trace, and Write
Use printable worksheets where your child can:
Color pictures with /v/ words (e.g., van, vest, vet)
Trace uppercase and lowercase Vv
Write the letter independently
[Download the Vv Worksheet Here]
Flashcards – Beginning Sound Focus
Use picture flashcards to practice the /v/ sound at the beginning of words.
Examples:
van
vet
vest
vase
Ask:
“What sound does this word start with?”
“Can you think of another word that starts with /v/?”
[Download Vv Flashcards – Beginning Sound Set Here]
Conclusion
The /v/ sound brings voice and variety to your child’s reading journey. With plenty of guided practice in saying, writing, and reading /v/ words, your child will become more fluent and confident.
Ask your child:
“Can you make the /v/ sound and think of a word that begins with it?”