Have the child clap, stomp, or tap out the syllables in words. You can also use manipulatives, such as blocks or counters, to represent each syllable. For example, for the word "banana", they would clap three times or move three blocks.

Jump, Skip, Hop!

Picture cards that you draw or cut out of magazines. Have children identify what’s in the picture, and then break that word into its sounds. For example, ship is sh-i-p, three sounds (phonemes). Three sounds? Have students do three jumping jacks, skips, or hops (followed by a high-five).

Differentiated Instruction

Syllable Counting: Start with one-syllable words (e.g., "cat", "dog") and gradually move to two-, three-, and multi-syllable words. You can also use pictures or objects to represent the syllables.

Jump, Skip, Hop!

Start with very distinct initial sounds (e.g., /m/, /s/, /f/) and provide visual cues, such as pointing to the mouth or using a mirror, to help students observe their own mouth movements while producing the sounds.

At Home Activity

Sound Detective". Have your child listen to you say a word and then identify the individual sounds within that word. For example, say "cat" and have them say "c-a-t". You can also play rhyming games, identify beginning or ending sounds, or clap out syllables in words. 

Internet Activity

Fun Brain Jr.

https://www.funbrain.com/content/cgi-bin/wd.cgi?A1=showcat&A2=1

Vocabulary Charades

Select a list of vocabulary words relevant to the current learning theme or topic. Write each word on a separate piece of paper or card. Divide the class into teams or have children take turns. One child selects a word and acts it out without speaking, while their team or classmates try to guess the word. 

Differentiated Instruction

Use picture cards alongside the written word for students who benefit from visual cues, especially those with emerging literacy skills or learning disabilities.

Word Walls with Pictures.

Create a designated space on a wall or bulletin board and label it "Word Wall." Choose vocabulary words related to the current learning theme. Write each word clearly on a card and pair it with a corresponding picture or illustration.

Differentiated Instruction

Provide letter tiles or magnetic letters and have students build words from the word wall. For students who need more support, provide a model or template. For students who are more advanced, challenge them to build new words using the letters or to create sentences with the words. 

Have children retell stories in their own words, using props or puppets to enhance engagement. 

Differentiating Instruction

Use illustrations, graphic organizers, and other visual aids to support comprehension. 

Role-Playing:

Act out scenes from stories, allowing children to step into the characters' roles and understand their motivations. 

Differentiating Instruction

Create role-play scenarios with different levels of difficulty, allowing students to choose or be assigned to scenarios.

Flexible Grouping:

Group students strategically based on their strengths and needs, allowing for peer support and collaborative learning that matches their current skill level. 

Rhyme Sparkle: Call out a word and have students go around a circle saying rhyming words. 

Differentiated instruction

Phonics Poem and songs: Use poems and songs that incorporate target phonics sounds. 

At Home Activity

I Spy Sounds- Reinforces letter-sound recognition and auditory discrimination.

• Materials: A variety of objects (toys, pictures, etc.) or picture cards, letter cards.

• Procedure:

  1. Choose a letter card (e.g., "s").

  2. Say, "I spy with my little eye something that starts with the /s/ sound." 

  3. Have the children guess the object.

  4. Continue with other letters and objects, encouraging children to identify the sounds and objects. 

Internet Activity

Phonicsbloom.com: link above

Set up a relay race where kids run to a designated spot, pick up a flashcard with a vocabulary word, bring it back, and tell you the word. This is a fun way to reinforce vocabulary and encourage physical activity.

Online Resource

https://www.starfall.com/h/

Model reading fluently with shared text- a big book or text displayed on a screen. Read a sentence, then have kids read the same sentence, trying to emulate your fluency and expression. Students can also work with a partner to echo-read books.

Differentiated Instruction

Begin with shorter segments.

Use predictable texts with limited print and strong picture support.

Select texts slightly above their independent reading level but not too difficult to prevent frustration.

Sentence pyramids

Use pre-made sentence pyramids or make your own by writing them on the board. Students will begin by reading just the first word. Then, they will add on one more word at a time as they go down the pyramid.

Differentiated Instruction

Provide simpler pyramids with shorter sentences, focusing on basic phonics patterns or high-frequency words.

Introduce pyramids with longer sentences, more complex grammatical structures, or challenging vocabulary. 

After reading, have children retell the story using their fingers to represent key elements, such as characters, setting, problem, and solution.