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The importance of phonemic awareness for Kindergarten students 

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The importance of phonemic awareness for Kindergarten students 

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In order for any student to fluently read, they must know letter names and corresponding sounds. It is important that this be introduced early on in a child's education. This guide consists of several apps and activities children in a Kindergarten class may utilize in order to be successful in phonemic awareness.

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This application has a variety of tools to choose from to address most preferred learning styles. There are lessons on letter names and sounds where pictures corresponding with the letter name are used. There are also options for short CVC words to be spelled and read out to students, along with read aloud stories allowing for students to follow along and later associate sounds with a word.
Here is the link for the website:
https://www.starfall.com/h/

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This application is also free of use to all users and has a student friendly setup. This application consists of several learning videos, games, and activities that can be done at school or at home. The Reading and Writing selection holds phonics activities such as videos, games, and quizzes. It also contains reading selections such as rhyming words, vowels, silent e, and other english reading rules important to be aware of. This will benefit the class by providing teachers direct feedback on student comprehension because of the short quizzes (teacher can select the level of difficulty based on student performance).
Here is the link for the website:
https://jr.brainpop.com/

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Epic is a reading tool beneficial for all primary grade levels. There is a large variety of books to choose from, some even read them out loud while highlighting the word it is reading. focus on the word the author is currently reading, the students are able to associate words with the way they are said. It consists of a collection of 10 "learning to read" books that focus on short and simple words for beginners. A teacher can assign different leveled stories to students based on reading level. It is free of use with an account liked to a school and can be easily accessed by students at home, as well as parents so that they can keep track of progress.
Here is the link for the website:
https://www.getepic.com/

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Lalilo is one of my favorite learning tools I currently use with my class. This resource starts with a "placement test" where they are asked to identify letter names and sounds, verbally sound out CVC words and sight words, and does it all while working on the students' own pace. I believe this application only works for educators or with a purchase. Lalilo's focus is phonics which makes it so beneficial for all students, no matter the grade level. It uses a combination of verbal, typed, and vision responses, allowing students to respond in a variety of different ways.
Here is the link to the website:
https://lalilo.com/?language=en

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Flashing letter cards and having students verbally respond is a great way for reinforcement of basic phonics. Picture cards will also help them identify words that begin with the corresponding letter.

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When it comes to a class of 5 and 6 year olds, arts and crafts are a must! Letter posters can be a quick way for students to practice with letter names and sounds

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Choose a letter to focus on, and show students a variety of photos. I then have them tell me what picture begins with the sound of the focus letter. Popsicle sticks works to randomly select students as many will want to simultaneously shout the answer.

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I have came to learn that students benefit from watching learning videos as it provides an alternative way for them to hear the concept. In selecting the videos, it is important to keep the audience age in mind. Kindergarten has a lot of fun, colorful, and music based videos.

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Show the students a picture of something that is short to spell (e.g. cat, dog, pat, kit, pan, map). Focus on the three sounds and recite them separately for the class, for example: "This is a picture of a cat- /c/ /a/ /t/." Do it twice for them to hear the single sounds and write it down letter by letter as the students help identify.

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After building words as a class, start from the first built word and sound them out as a class to demonstrate the use of blending sounds together to form the word as as show every letter has it's own corresponding sound.

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The use of hand motions to demonstrate the blending of sounds to make a word is beneficial to Kindergarten students because it provides a visual and requires nothing at all. Sign language can be constructed to give the students a hand sign to name a letter. By saying one sound on one hand and a word family ending on the other then clapping to put it together is what seems to be working with my current students.

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After demonstrating and working together, it's important to give students a chance to demonstrate comprehension. After grouping based on academic levels, give students a list of pictures and have them spell out a word with letter blocks. This could be done in small groups, partners, or independently for those who prefer.

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Coming up with a list of words that start with a specific letter

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Coming up with a list of words that start with a specific letter

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For this activity, I would start by showing students a letter for them to identify. I would then ask them to help me come up with words that begin with this letter. I will write it on the smartboard and the students will copy it on a notebook page, followed with a drawn picture to go with it. This makes it easier for them to identify the picture as well as teaches them new spelled vocabulary, all while focusing on the letter name and sound.

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The literature my school uses is Journeys. The students have full access to this book online through the website. This comes with reading aloud tools and letter comprehension videos for the students to watch. I show them in class and remind students and parents to use it at home for reinforcement.

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There is a lot that gets covered in a single day in any classroom. Attendance is key for any student to advance in their education. With the several class activities and the direct instruction a student may receive while in class, their scores are likely to be higher as attendance promotes participation.