Initial Sound (Phoneme) Boxes/Drawers with Cards or Objects
(Sets consist of 2 letters and 4-6 picture cards (or objects) that begin with those sounds. Child or teacher chooses two drawers and children name objects, then sort by initial sound.)
- Choose a set of initial sound cards and bring them to a rug on the floor or mat on the table.
- Line up the letters at the top of the mat, saying each sound as you go.
- Show the children each object or picture card, naming each picture with the children. You can ask them if they know what it is, but the first sounds need to match your letters so you may need to say, “That is one name for it but for this game we can call it a hen, that is another name for chicken.”
- Turn the picture cards upside-down to reduce visual noise. Demonstrate turning over a picture card and placing it under the letter that matches the initial sound of the picture, saying the name of the picture and the sound. “book, bbbbb”. For objects, place objects in a small group at bottom of mat, choose an object and say its name emphasizing the first sound, and place it under the corresponding letter
- If the child makes a mistake, place the object or picture next to the wrong letter (for example ‘h’) and then next to the correct letter (‘b’) saying, “Is it a hook or a book?”
You can also make sets of two letters and corresponding objects in small boxes, rotating them throughout the year as the focus sound groups shift.