Year 1Double letters
ss words
When a one-syllable word ends in f, l, s or z after a short vowel, the final consonant is doubled.
In a two-syllable word with a short first vowel, we often double the middle consonant. The 'ss' makes one /s/ sound as in 'lesson' and 'messy'.
ss/s/ as in possum
Words with ss
Tap a word to see its sounds and hear it.
ss in the middle
ss at the end
Read ss in a sentence.
Every sentence is checked against the sound.
- 1The dress is a mess.
- 2The possum is messy.
- 3I miss my red dress.
- 4My lesson is on fossils.
How to teach ss
- Introduce the FLOSS rule. Explain that when a one-syllable word ends in f, l, s or z after a short vowel, the final consonant is usually doubled.
- Model saying the target phoneme three times.
- Students repeat.
- Check articulation and correct mouth placement.
- Identify the phoneme in the example words.
Other ways to spell /s/
- s
- c
Decodable stories with ss.
From the Phonicspal library. Sign up free to read them.
Make a whole ss lesson.
Slides, words and sentences, matched to the sounds your class has learned.