Floss Boss Slides
Grade 1 Phonics & Spelling
Indiana Standard: 1.RF.4
Spelling Superpower 🦸
The FLOSS Rule
When do we double the last letter? Meet the twin letters: ff, ll, ss, and zz!
🦷 Listen for the short vowel, then double the end!
Slide 1 of 10
1
The 3 Secret Clues
Rule Checklist
👏
Clue #1
1 Syllable
Just one clap or one beat!
🍎
Clue #2
1 Short Vowel
Says /ă/, /ĕ/, /ĭ/, /ŏ/, or /ŭ/
🎯
Clue #3
Ends in F, L, S, Z
Ends with the sound of f, l, s, or z
Got all 3 clues? DOUBLE THAT LETTER!
2
Why Call It "FLOSS"?
The Memory Word
The word FLOSS teaches us the exact letters we double!
F ff cliff, cuff
L ll bell, hill
S ss grass, miss
Z zz buzz, fizz
⭐ Bonus: Z loves the party too! It doubles just like F, L, and S!
Slide 3 of 10
-ff
Double F in Action
Sound & Tap
Example 1
Shirt Sleeve Cuff
1 short vowel /ŭ/ + ends in /f/
c
u
ff
Example 2
Rocky Cliff
1 short vowel /ĭ/ + ends in /f/
c
l
i
ff
More -ff words: puff, sniff, off, stuff Slide 4 of 10
-ll
Double L in Action
Sound & Tap
Example 1
School Bell 🔔
1 short vowel /ĕ/ + ends in /l/
b
e
ll
Example 2
High Hill ⛰️
1 short vowel /ĭ/ + ends in /l/
h
i
ll
More -ll words: doll, shell, pill, well Slide 5 of 10
-ss
Double S in Action
Sound & Tap
Example 1
Green Grass 🌱
1 short vowel /ă/ + ends in /s/
g
r
a
ss
Example 2
Party Dress 👗
1 short vowel /ĕ/ + ends in /s/
d
r
e
ss
More -ss words: miss, kiss, glass, moss Slide 6 of 10
-zz
Double Z in Action
The Buzzy Buddy
Example 1
Bumblebee Buzz 🐝
1 short vowel /ŭ/ + ends in /z/
b
u
zz
Example 2
Soda Fizz 🥤
1 short vowel /ĭ/ + ends in /z/
f
i
zz
More -zz words: jazz, fuzz, whizz, frizz Slide 7 of 10
⚠️
Detective Alert: Do NOT Double!
Rule Checkers
Trap 1
Two Consonants at the End
If another consonant comes before or after, don't double!
belt
ends in l-t (not ll!)
golf
ends in l-f (not ff!)
Trap 2
Two Vowels Together
If the vowel sound is long or has 2 vowel letters, don't double!
leaf
two vowels: ea
feel
two vowels: ee
Remember: Only double when you have 1 short vowel right before f, l, s, or z!
🔍
Guided Practice: Word Detectives!
Try Together
Challenge 1
"Our whole cla___ went to the library."
1. How many claps? 1 clap
2. Short vowel? Yes! /ă/
3. Ends with? /s/ sound
Spell it: class
Challenge 2
"The puppy took a sni___ of the flower."
1. How many claps? 1 clap
2. Short vowel? Yes! /ĭ/
3. Ends with? /f/ sound
Spell it: sniff
Slide 9 of 10
🎉
You Are a FLOSS Boss!
Review Chant
Say the Rhyme Together! 🗣️
"One short vowel, one quick sound,"
"When F, L, S, or Z is found,"
"Give it a twin at the very end,"
"Double that letter, my spelling friend!"
-ff
puff • cuff
-ll
bell • fill
-ss
grass • miss
-zz
buzz • fizz
Great job, 1st Grade Spellers! ⭐ Slide 10 of 10