What is phonics?
- Phonics is the relationship between letters and sounds and how these sounds connect to form words.
What does research say about phonics instruction?
- Systematic instruction that applies a multi-sensory approach is an effective strategy. Word play, writing words, and using manipulatives in ways that incorporate sight, sound, touch, and movement will help the student better absorb the information.
Activity 1: Play “I Spy”
- Say something similar to “I spy something that starts with the letter B” or “I spy something that ends with the letter K.”
- After the student guesses the item, have them tell you what sound the letter makes.
- This can also be done the other way. Say “I spy something that starts with [B sound]” or “I spy something that ends with [K sound” and have the student tell you what letter it is after they successfully guess the item.
Activity 2: Letter-sound Go Fish
- Make doubles of flash cards.
- Have the first student call out a letter-sound and ask if the second student has a match. Follow the normal rules of Go Fish.
Activity 3: Phonics Bingo
- Draw a grid and place pictures of items in the boxes (i.e. picture of corn, eggs, baseball, etc.)
- There are many ways to cover the items on the grid:
- Call out a letter sound and cover the item if it starts with the letter sound
- Call out a letter and cover the item if it starts with that letter
- Call out a letter sound and cover the item if it ends with that letter sound
- Call out a letter and cover the item if it ends with that letter
Activity 4: Phonics Movement Activity
- Tape four letters onto a wall.
- Call a letter sound and tell your student to run to the letter that makes that sound, touch it, and run back. Involve other types of movement to spice it up.
