How To Teach the Sounds of -ED: A Fun and Simple Way to Help Students Master Past-Tense Endings

Let’s be honest! Teaching the different sounds of the -ED suffix can be a real head-scratcher for young learners. Is it supposed to sound like /t/, /d/, or /id/? Many students now learning the concept get confused and so I decided to create these SOUNDS OF -ED Posters to help!

If you’ve been struggling to help your kids master this tricky phonics rule, then I have got a solution that’s fun, effective, and totally classroom-ready.

Why You Would Like These -ED Sound Posters

I designed these posters with real classroom struggles in mind. They use kid-friendly characters to help break down the rules in a way that sticks:

• 💤 Tired Tommy – for the /t/ sound (like in jumped)

• ❤️ Loved Lola – for the /d/ sound (like in plugged)

• 🎉 Excited Ed – for the /id/ sound (like in landed)

Each poster includes simple visuals and easy examples so students can quickly see when and why -ED makes each sound, based on the ending of the root word.

How To Use These -ED Posters in Your Classroom

Here are a few ways to bring these posters to life in your classroom:

✅ Phonics Mini-Lessons –  Introduce the posters during a focused lesson and leave them up for quick reference.
✅ Literacy Centers – Students can sort word cards into the correct -ED sound category.
✅ Interactive Notebooks – Print mini versions so students can glue them into their notebooks or folders.
✅ Home Connection – Send copies home for parents to use during homework or fun word hunts!

Bonus Ideas That Make Learning Stick

✨ Notebook Helpers – Shrink and tuck them into student folders for a quick study tool.
✨ Word Work Games – Play match-and-sort games with -ED words.
✨ Support for ESL/ELL Students – Your English learners especially love the visuals—it makes pronunciation rules less intimidating.

Make Teaching -ED Endings Easy (and Fun!)

These posters will truly change the way your students understand and apply the -ED sound rules. Instead of guessing, they’re confidently using the correct endings when reading and writing. Whether you're in the classroom or teaching virtually, these posters are a must-have tool in your phonics toolkit.

👉 Ready to give your students the confidence they need to master past-tense verbs?
Grab your set of SOUNDS OF -ED Posters today and see the difference!