Help your students recognize letter sounds with a scavenger hunt. Write a letter on the board, and ask students to make the sound that corresponds with that letter. For example, write the letter "B" and ask students to make a "buh" sound. Next, ask students to find something in the classroom that begins with the same sound. You may wish to place specific items in your classroom for students to find.
Play a guessing game to teach letter sounds, recommends the PreKinders website. Prepare a container with several props that all feature the same letter sound. For example, for the letter "D," you might bring a dime, a toy dinosaur and a toy duck. During circle time, pull out each prop and ask students to tell you what it is. Once you have pulled out all the items, ask students to guess the mystery letter.
Teach letter sounds with a fun matching game, recommends the Michigan Department of Education. Prepare letter sound cards by drawing simple objects on unlined index cards or squares of card stock. Alternatively, cut pictures from magazines. Items might include mittens, cats, birds or socks. Matching cards should not display the same picture, but two objects featuring the same letter sound. For example, a set of matching cards for beginning sounds might feature a fish on one card and a foot on the other. Let students make their own set of cards to play with at home.
Help your students learn letter sounds by making a class story. To begin, read a story or rhyme to your students that features alliteration or assonance. Help your students pick out repeated letter sounds. Next, create your own class story with repeated letter sounds. To begin, ask students to think of words that feature the chosen letter sound, and write them on the board. Next, help students think creatively to put these words together to make a silly story. Write the story on a large piece of paper and post it in the classroom.