Activity Description

Preparation:

1. Find a box
   1. You may wish to decorate it to make it more exciting
2. Gather small objects that have different numbers of syllables (you could also use pictures) and place them in the box

Implementation:

1. Tell students that you will be using your mystery box today to practice hearing the sounds in words
   1. Explain that you might ask them for the first sound, the last sound, or to find the syllables in the word
   2. Review each of these concepts
2. Explain the activity
   1. You will choose one student to pull an item out of your mystery box
   2. Everyone will say the name of the object
   3. All students will clap out the number of syllables in the name of the object
   4. You may ask your chosen student to tell you the first and/or last sound they hear in the name of the object
      • Segment the word to help students hear each sound
      • Be aware that finding the last sound in multisyllabic words may be too challenging
3. Model the activity with an example
4. Allow each student a turn

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Provide students with familiar objects or images
- Allow students to work with a partner who speaks the same first language to help understand the activity

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- Repeat the name and re-clap the syllables to ensure understanding

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Choose objects or images that are representative of the various cultures/diversity present in the classroom and the community

Differentiated Instruction:

- Continually think-aloud during the activity
- Vary the level of task difficulty according to the students ability (for example, ask more advanced students if they can identify the vowel sound if you have taught this)

Related References

Evidence:
Phillips, B. M., Clancy-Menchetti, J. & Lonigan, C. J. (2008) Successful phonological awareness instruction with preschool children: Lessons from the Classroom. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 28, 3-17.