Pop - actions

pop

/pɒp/ UK /pɒp/ · US /pɑːp/

A short o CVC word (ɒ) in the actions category. It belongs to the -op word family.

actions

Hear pop

Tap a sound to hear it on its own, or play the whole word below.

How to Say “pop”

p
/p/
o
/ɒ/
p
/p/

Blend the three sounds together slowly, then speed up: /p/ – /ɒ/ – /p/ → pop.

Example Sentences with Pop

How to Spell “pop”

Children most often write this word as opp, popp, poop. Those errors are useful — each one points to a specific sound the child has not yet connected to a letter.

  1. Start with the picture: <strong>pop</strong> begins with the /p/ sound, so begin with "p".
  2. Say the word slowly three times, then write one sound per letter: <strong>p - o - p</strong>.
  3. The "o" in <strong>pop</strong> is a short o — the mouth stays wide open, like /ɒ/ in <em>hot</em>.
  4. Blend the last two sounds smoothly: <strong>po</strong> + <strong>p</strong> = <strong>pop</strong>.

Phonics Tip for Pop

"pop" and "cop" and "hop" share the ending /ɒp/. Say them back to back so the child hears that only the first sound changes. That is the core of the -op family.

Try it now: play the CVC flash cards and hunt for pop, or test recognition in the multiple choice quiz.

Fun Facts About Pop

Every letter in <strong>pop</strong> carries one sound: p says /p/, o says /ɒ/, p says /p/. That is what makes it fully decodable — a child who knows the three sounds can read <strong>pop</strong> on the first try, with no guessing from the picture. It belongs to the -op family, which has 3 other words in it: cop, hop, mop.

More Words in the -op Family

Words that rhyme with pop and end with the same sounds:

See the full -op word family →

Related CVC Words

More words with the short o sound that have their own picture guide:

Other Word Families

Move between families:

Where to Practise Pop