In this post, you will find…

• 12 activities that could be used in phonics instruction to provide choice

The Science of Reading has been a huge topic for discussion in the past few years and rightly so! Every child deserves to know how to read. However, how does UDL fit into the instruction of reading? This blog is not going to show you how they align beautifully. For that jump over to Novak Education for a great post about this. In this post, I want to share some practical activities that could be used in phonics instruction to provide choice for learners. The intent of these examples is to be low cost and simple activities to implement quickly.

Letter-Sound Correspondence/Letter Formation Activities

Say it and Write it 

This activity provides both oral and kinesthetic ways to engage with the letter and sound. As learners say the sound, they write the letter over and over. You can provide choice in where they write the letter. It could be done in a sensory way.

Say it, Point it 

Learners say the sound as they point or trace the letter. This can be done when learners are just learning to form the letter or require more support in the formation of the letter.

Visual Representation of the Letter

Have the letter represented as you are introducing the sound .

Letter Tracing

Tracing is a great scaffold for when first learning a letter and supports work memory. Add a star to show where to start and arrows to show which direction to write to support working memory.

Sensory Writing 

A great way to engage reluctant learners. Give options for different textures to write on such as sand, carpet, chalk, ect.

Whiteboards

Whiteboards are a great option for learners who are reluctant to make mistakes. Mistakes are easily erased. Learners can try and try again!

Blending and Segmenting Activities

Push up Counters 

As you say the sounds in the word, push up a counter to represent the sound. A kinesthetic way to represent the sounds in words.

Elkonin Boxes

Elkonin boxes are a great way to show how letters represent the sounds in words. It is also a great way to segment words to show how some sounds are represented by two or more letters also. These can be quickly drawn on the board or you can print and laminate templates to pull out quickly during instruction.

Robot Arms

This is a fun way to segment words. Move your arms like a robot as you say the sounds in words. You can also do it in a robot voice for more effect. A great way to incorporate movement in segmenting.

Imaginary Rubber Band 

Have learners stretch out an imaginary rubber band when segmenting the word and then snap it back to blend the word. A physical way to represent segmenting and blending.

Dots and Dashes 

A dot is used to represent one letter one sound and dashes are used to represent two or more letters making one sound. A great visual representation of how some sounds are represented with two or more letters.

Colour Code

Use two different colours to show the different letters that make the different sound in words. A great visual way to show the sounds in words.

Bonus! Choice Boards

Why not create a choice board of some of these options once learners know how to use them? During phonics instruction, learners could use options that best suit them. What a great way to promote expert learning.

Therefore…

The need for phonics instruction is so important in the teaching of how to read. It is one part of instruction in the teaching of reading but why not ensure that when we are completing phonics instruction, we are acknowledging variability and providing many ways for learners to engage in that instruction. What other ways do you provide choice in phonics instruction?

Until next time,

Happy educating,

Sam

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