This low-prep sound match game is a win-win for both students AND teachers
Learning letter sounds is no easy task, but there are few things more exciting than helping students start learning to read. Letter-sound correspondence is the foundation that all other phonics skills build upon, so it’s important to practice this skill in a fun way that keeps students engaged and eager to continue learning.
Thankfully, these beginning letter sound match popsicle cards do just that! They are the perfect addition to your literacy centers or small groups.
Grab your set below and then join the priority list for our VIP teaching membership, The Science of Reading Formula, so you can unlock access to all of our teaching tools in one time-saving spot.
Beginning Letter Sound Match Prep
We’re team #lowprep over here, and this activity definitely fits the bill! Like most of our printable alphabet activities, this game can be prepped once and used year after year.
To get ready, print out all of the alphabet popsicles from A to Z and laminate them to use over and over again. Then, cut each popsicle in half on the dotted black line to separate the letter from the picture – forming two halves for each popsicle.
That’s it! One quick and simple prep and you’re ready to go. Who said brain-friendly teaching has to be complicated?
Playing the Popsicle Beginning Sound Match
This activity is great for literacy centers or small group guided instruction.
Once the puzzles are cut in half, there are 52 separate pieces. It might be overwhelming for students to try to piece together all 26 letters at once – especially if they are new readers – so give them just a few pairs at first and add more over time.
Line up the alphabet popsicle halves face up on one side of the table, and place the picture popsicle halves on the other side so students can see them too.
Students will take turns picking up a letter half, saying the letter sound, and then searching for the matching picture.
For example, they might say, “f…..f says /f/….. like football!”
Once students find the matching picture, they will place the two halves together to make a whole popsicle.
Are you looking for a way to make this an independent activity? If so, write the letter on the back of the picture so that students have the ability to self-correct. After students pair their popsicles, they can turn over the picture to see if they made the correct beginning sound match!
Ready for more activities like this one? Snag our Ultimate Preschool Activity Pack in our shop or inside our VIP teaching membership, The Science of Reading Formula, where you’ll have access to thousands of brain-friendly, print-and-go activities just like this fun beginning sound match up.
Grab Your Download
Click the blue button below to grab your freebie and then request an invite to our VIP teaching membership, The Science of Reading Formula, so you can teach reading the easier, brain-friendly way.
