In this lesson, Ashton Smith, a kindergarten teacher at Hope-Hill Elementary School in Atlanta, works with her students on a new phonics pattern — using ‘ck’ to spell the /k/ sound. Ms. Smith starts by reviewing the sounds and letters students will need to learn the new material. Then she explains that ‘-ck’ goes at the end of a word after a short vowel. Students practice reading and spelling words like “kick” and “pack” that have the new pattern. By the end of the lesson, they write phrases and sentences with ‘-ck’ words. Progressing from sounds, to words, to phrases and sentences is crucial for learning any new spelling pattern.