After learning other phonics basics, it’s time to teach your students less frequently used, but still common, sounds like soft c and g. Soft C is pronounced /s/, like in cent, and soft G is pronounced /j/, like in gem.

Since the rules for when g and c are pronounced with their soft sounds are similar, I teach them at the same time. In this blog post, I’ll provided a step-by-step, 5-day phonics lesson plan for teaching your students how to read and spell words with soft c and soft g.

Day 1

Remind students that some letters can make more than one sound. C usually says /c/, but it can also say /s/. Show a picture representing “cent” and say /s/ /e/ /n/ /t/, cent. Explain that when an e or i come after c, c makes the soft sound /s/. Explain that g also has a soft sound. When followed by e, i, or y, g can say /j/. Point to a picture of a gem and say /j/ /e/ /m/, gem. Point out that the letter e comes after the g, so you know that it could be pronounced /j/. Explain that this week, they’ll be learning to read and spell words with soft c and soft g. After modeling, lead students in guided practice of reading more words with soft c and g. Then, practice reading fluency sentences together that contain words with soft g and g and previously mastered word types. You can find the needed picture cards, word cards, and fluency sentences in my Phonics by Design Soft C and Soft G Mini Unit.

Day 2

Briefly review what you taught yesterday, and then tell students they’ll be practicing writing words with soft g and c today. Show a germ picture card. Model segmenting the word by saying /j/ /er/ /m/ (feel free to use tactile method such as tapping, chopping, etc.) and spell out the word on the board or chart paper. Show mice picture card and say /m/ /ī/ /s/, mice. Continue with other picture cards, having students segment the sounds as a group or taking turns. Finally, have students practice on their own by dictating words to them and having them write them down. You can also dictate a few short sentences with soft c and g words and other mastered word types.

Day 3

Today students will independently practice reading and writing words with soft c and soft g. I use the activity sheets included in my Phonics by Design Soft C and Soft G Mini Unit and in my No Prep Pack.

Day 4

Review reading and spelling words with soft c and g before introducing a simple matching game they can play in pairs. Spread out the cards in a grid face down. When it’s their turn, the student will turn over two cards and identify the pictures and/or read the words. If it’s a match, they keep the pair. If not, they put the cards back, face down. Students alternate turns until all pairs have been matched. The student with the most pairs wins. You can find a matching game in my Phonics by Design Soft C and Soft G Mini Unit.

Day 5

Assess students by dictating ten words with soft c and g and having them record them. If you have time and a small enough group, you may also wish to have individual students read a few words with soft c and g for you as well.

This lesson plan schedule for teaching soft c and soft g is simple but effective!

Save yourself time by snagging everything you need to teach soft c and g in one place with my Phonics by Design Soft C and Soft G Mini Unit. You’ll get all the materials mentioned in this post (picture cards, word cards, fluency sentences, activity sheets, matching game), plus lesson plans, posters, a flap book, and more! Snag it here.

Teaching Soft C and Soft G