When it comes to early literacy, teaching phonics is one of the most effective strategies to help young learners become confident readers. One important phonics skill is learning how to decode and spell words ending with -ng and -nk. These endings are part of a group of sounds called glued sounds or welded sounds—they’re letters that stick together and are hard to pull apart.
In this post, we’ll explore why these word endings are tricky, how to teach them effectively, and provide fun activities to reinforce learning.
Why Focus on -ng and -nk Endings?
Words like sing, long, bank, and pink may seem simple to adults, but for beginning readers, these word endings can be confusing. That’s because the g and k don’t behave as they do in other parts of words. Also, the nasal n sound blends into the ending, making it harder for kids to isolate each sound. Mastering these glued sounds builds a foundation for decoding longer, more complex words later on.
How to Teach -ng and -nk
1. Introduce the Sounds in Isolation
Don’t teach -ng and -nk together on the same day. Start with -ng and then move onto -nk. Start by modeling the sound /ng/. Tell students to say sing and emphasize, or elongate, the /ng/. Use mirrors so students can see how their mouths move when making the sounds. Remind students that these are glued sounds—they come out in one breath.
After introducing the sound /ng/, introduce short vowel words: ring, song, king, long. Use picture cards and word cards to match sounds with images.
Repeat this process with -nk when you believe students are ready.
2. Tap It, Map It, Write It
This is a multisensory approach used in many phonics programs:
- Tap it: Students use fingers to tap out each sound.
- Map it: Place chips or counters for each sound in Elkonin boxes.
- Write it: Students write the word after mapping the sounds.
For example, the word “sank” would be broken into /s/ /a/ /nk/. When doing this process students are reminded and these are glued sounds and the n and k (or n and g) go together.
3. Practice with Fun and Games
Keep engagement high with these phonics-friendly activities:
- Word and Picture Match: Say the pictures and listen to the ending sounds. Then match the correct word to the picture.
- Roll and Read: This is a fun partner game where students practice reading -ng or -nk words.
- Word Search: Hunt for -ng and -nk words.
- Sound Hunts: Look for -ng and -nk words in books or around the classroom.
4. Read with Purpose
Use decodable readers that highlight these endings for extra fluency practice.
Common Challenges and How to Help
- Confusing “ng” with “nk”
- Use minimal pairs (e.g., sing vs. sink) to help students hear the difference.
- Spelling Errors
- Use dictation exercises and highlight the glued sound at the end of the word.
Final Thoughts
Teaching -ng and -nk endings is an essential part of phonics instruction that builds strong decoding and spelling skills. By introducing these glued sounds with clear modeling, engaging activities, and lots of practice, you’ll help students unlock dozens of common English words.
Make it multisensory, make it fun, and watch your learners become stronger, more confident readers.
Do you use any special tricks or activities when teaching -ng and -nk words? Share them in the comments below!
