Lesson 38: Qq /kw/
Help Your Child Learn to Say, Write, and Read with the Letter Qq!
What Will We Learn Today?
Today we’re learning the letter Qq, which is almost always followed by the letter u to spell the sound /kw/—as in queen, quilt, and quiz. In this lesson, your child will learn how to say the /kw/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Qq, and read short words, phrases, and connected sentences with this special consonant blend.
How to Make the /kw/ Sound
The /kw/ sound is a consonant blend made by combining /k/ and /w/.
Here’s how to help your child say it:
Round your lips and lift the back of your tongue to say /k/.
Quickly add /w/ by pushing your lips forward and blowing a small puff of air.
Blend them quickly: /k/ + /w/ = /kw/
Model the sound with words like quick, quiz, and quilt.
Articulate
Say it together:
“Let’s say /kw/ like in ‘queen’—/kw/!”
Try stretching the blend softly and clearly.
Ask your child to find their lips moving as they say it.
How to Write the Letter Qq
Grab your whiteboard and marker!
Uppercase Q
Draw a large circle.
Then add a small slanted line (the tail) coming out from the lower right side of the circle.
Lowercase q
Draw a small circle.
From the right side of the circle, draw a long line down, curving slightly below.
Try using tracing pages, finger writing in sand, or marker boards to practice.
Let’s Practice Reading Words
Read and blend these /kw/ words:
quilt – quip – quest – quit – quiz – squid
Model:
“/kw/ – /ɪ/ – /z/” → quiz
Encourage your child to blend slowly, then say it smoothly.
Let’s Practice Reading Phrases
a fun quest
the red quilt
the big squid
the hot quilt
do not quit
do the quiz
a fast quiz
the wet squid
Read each phrase aloud. Ask your child:
“What is the /kw/ word in each phrase?”
Let’s Practice Reading Sentences
The quilt is on the bed.
The quest is not fun.
The squid is in the net.
Do not quit the job.
Ask your child to find and read the word that begins with /kw/.
Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences
The quilt is red.
It is on the bed.
I said to Quin, “Do not rip it!”
The quilt is hot.
The quilt is soft.
Quin and I nap on it.
Comprehension questions:
What color is the quilt?
Who naps on the quilt?
What did Quin almost do?
Color, Trace, and Write
Use printable worksheets where your child can:
Color /kw/ words (e.g., quilt, quiz, squid)
Trace uppercase and lowercase Qq
Write the letter independently
[Download the Qq Worksheet Here]
Flashcards – Beginning Sound Focus
Use picture flashcards to practice hearing and recognizing the /kw/ sound.
Examples:
quilt
queen
quiz
quick
Ask:
“What sound does this word start with?”
“Can you think of another word that starts with /kw/?”
[Download Qq Flashcards – Beginning Sound Set Here]
Conclusion
The /kw/ sound is a unique blend that children love to say and spot in words. With guided articulation, writing practice, and fun reading activities, your child will soon master the sound of Qq.
Ask your child:
“Can you say a silly sentence using three /kw/ words?”