62

s (s)

The s (s) sound is made by opening the mouthmedium wide. The teeth are shown clenchedtogether. The tongue touches all of the bottomteeth. Air is blown through slowly.

Hint: S (s) sounds like z (z), but with air.Although sometimes s (s) doesn’t have air, asin most plural words, such as “apples”.Note: In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the s (s) sound ispronounced: s

consonant

63

sailboat (s l b t)

A sailboat is a boatwhich skims over thewater when the windblows against its clothor nylon sails.

sofa (s f )

A sofa, also called acouch, is a long seatwith a back and arms.

sun (sun)

The sun is the bright,shining center of the solarsystem. It lights and warmsthe planets as they revolvearound it.

64

t (t)

The t (t) sound is made by opening the mouthand lowering the bottom lip. The teeth areslightly apart, with more of the bottom than thetop front teeth shown. The tip of the tonguetouches the top of the mouth. Air is blownthrough quickly.

Hint: T (t) sounds like d (d), but with air.Note: In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the t (t) sound ispronounced: t

consonant

65

telescope (tel sk p)

A telescope is a tube-like instrument withlenses or mirrors forviewing distant objects.

truck (truk)

A truck is a largeautomotive vehicle fortransporting heavyloads on the road.

tiger (t g r)

A tiger is a fierce, wildanimal of the cat familywhich has orange furwith black stripes.

66

short u (u)

The short u (u) sound is made by openingthe mouth and lowering the bottom lip a bit.The teeth are slightly apart, with more of thebottom than the top front teeth shown. Thetongue is in the middle of the mouth.

Hint: Short u (u) sounds like “schwa” e ( ),but with more emphasis.Note: In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the short u (u)sound is pronounced:

vowel

67

umbrella (um brel )

An umbrella, usuallymade of cloth or plastic, isa shield against raindropsor even sunshine.

umpire (um p r)

An umpire is an officialwho oversees a sportsgame to make sure thatthe rules are followed.

unhappy (un hap )

Unhappy is a feeling ofanger, sadness or discom-fort. A baby is unhappywhen hungry, for example.

68

medium u (ü)

The medium u (ü) sound is made by pucker-ing the mouth to form a small circle with the lips.The teeth are slightly apart, but not shown. Thetongue is in the middle of the mouth.

Hint: Medium u (ü) is often written as eu, ew,oo, ue, or ui.Note: In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the medium u (ü)sound is pronounced: u:

vowel

69

flute (flüt)

A flute is a long, thin andhollow musical instrumentplayed by blowing througha hole near one end.

Peru (p rü )

Peru is a mountainous countrylocated on the west coast ofSouth America. It was thehome of the Incan empire.

sushi (sü sh )

Sushi is a Japanesefood dish made up ofcold rice and raw fishwrapped in seaweed.

70

long u ( )

The long u ( ) sound is made by opening themouth and pushing the lips outward, while gentlybiting their edges. The teeth are apart, withsome of the top and bottom front teeth shown.The tongue is curled against the bottom teeth.

Hint: Long u ( ) is sometimes written as eu,ew or ue.Note: In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the long u ( ) soundis pronounced: ju:

vowel

71

unicorn ( n korn)

A unicorn is a mythicalwhite horse with a spiralhorn in the middle of itsforehead.

U.S.A. ( es )

The United States ofAmerica is a country of50 states filled withpeople of many religions,races and backgrounds.

utensil ( ten s l)

A utensil is a tool used fora practical purpose. Forks,knives and spoons areeating utensils.