Word families are the easiest way to build blending proficiency.

The bases and all initial sounds that can be blended to them are coded by color/symbol. Students first decode the base using short/long vowel patterns. Then they blend each initial sound to the base to read the word formed. Rhyming facilitates the blending process.

Consonants, blends, and digraphs added to the 91 bases form 651 words.