~help students segment the sounds in a word
~increase phonological awareness
~help students learn to decode words
~reinforce the short vowel sounds
You can make a set for each kid in your class, just a few sets to put out for early finishers, or use them as a station. I spend time modeling how to use the sound boxes. Modeling the direction and how to "push" the sounds with a spacer are important so that students get the most out of the activity.
I number each card in each set on the back with a flair pen before I laminate. This helps keep kids from getting them mixed up when they are working together or when a loose card shows up we know which set it goes with.
Finally, I just place the cards in a baggie with an eraser and dry erase marker. My students keep them in their rainbow drawers. This way they can pull them out when they finish something and need some meaningful independent work. Each week as we learn new vowels, I add the new vowel but leave a few of the vowels we have worked on in the past in the baggie.
You can grab up the "short a" version of the boxes HERE for free!
The whole set can be grabbed up by clicking HERE!
