Toss the Letter Cube
Reviewing Letter-Sounds
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Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 0: Foundation for LiteracyStage 1: Beginning Literacy
Ages:
3-6
Grade Range:
PreK KFood Groups:
Primary: Letter-Sounds & Phonics, Phonemic Awareness
Activity Description
Preparation:
1. Create a letter cube (or several)
a. Obtain or make a cube or box
b. Using a dark color, paint the letters m, r, t, s, p, and f on each side
Implementation:
1. Tell students that they will use what they know about letters and sounds to play a game of Toss the Cube
2. Show the students the letter cube
a. Point to each letter and have the students state what sound it makes
3. Model the activity
a. Roll the cube
b. Trace the letter with your index finger and say the sound that corresponds to it
• For example, if m is rolled, trace the letter m on the cube with your finger and say /m/
c. State a word that begins with the letter rolled
• For example, if m is rolled, say ‘milk,’ ‘me,’ or ‘my,’ emphasizing the /m/ sound
d. Encourage the students to share words that begin with the /m/ sound
4. Allow students to play Toss the Cube in small groups
5. If students cannot think of a word, encourage them to look around the room for words that begin with the
sound they have rolled
Adaptations For
English Language Learners/ESL:
- Use basic language during teacher modeling - Scaffold student learning by acting out words or by segmenting words for the student to blend, if he or she cannot think of a response - Provide students with visual aids to help stimulate ideas
LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:
- Repeat instructions - Provide visual aids and manipulatives, such as a handful of small toys to encourage ideas
Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:
- Encourage students to think of words that are culturally relevant to them
Differentiated Instruction:
- Encourage peer assisted learning (when a student cannot think of a word, for example, invite their peers to offer clues or segment a word for the student to blend)
Related References
Source: Diller, D. (2007). Making the Most of Small Groups: Differentiation for All. Markham, ON: Pembroke Publishers Limited.
Evidence: Yopp, H.K. (1992). Developing phonemic awareness in young children. The Reading Teacher, 45 (9), 696-703.
Activity Objective
The goal of Toss the Letter Cube: Reviewing Letter-Sounds is to help students develop phonemic awareness and letter-sound associations by tossing a letter cube, identifying letter-sounds, and sharing words that begin with each sound.
What You Need
Prep Time:
30-40 minutes - Create or purchase a letter cube
Task Time:
10-15 minutes - Students roll a letter cube, state the letter sound, and share words that begin with the sound of the letter rolled
Materials Required:
Teacher: - A letter cube (with letters m, r, t, s, p, and f written on it)
What You Do
Teacher Role:
Modeling: - while demonstrating how to roll the cube, trace the letter while saying the sound, and share a word that begins with the sound of the letter rolled Facilitator: - as students work in small groups
Student Grouping:
Whole class: - as the teacher models how to use the letter cube Small groups: - while rolling the letter cube, saying its sound, and generating words
Assessment Ideas:
- During the activity, record student responses and indicate whether each student was able to arrive at a correct response independently or with assistance
Quick Tips
Activity Extensions:
- Encourage students to share words that contain the chosen letter-sound anywhere in the word and identify where they hear it - Encourage students to use invented spelling to record the words they share
Additional Comments:
- You can create other letter cubes with additional initial letter-sounds such as "h", "ch", "sh", "w", "b", and "d". - You can also create letter cubes with short vowel sounds or ending sounds for a trickier activity.
Other Adaptations/Modifications:
- Allow for collaboration when a student cannot think of a word - Encourage students to look in a mirror and observe the way their mouths move to produce the sound of the letter rolled