Break It Down is a phonemic game that reinforces auditory skills and letter sound fluency. The teacher says a word, usually a CVC(consonant, vowel, consonant) word like "cat." The students say each sound they hear in the word, "c"-"a"-"t." This activity helps teachers identify students who struggle to hear sounds or who may be hearing only middle or final sounds. It is a simple game that students can play every day with a short list of words.
Sound Bingo is a fun game to play with the entire class. Many education supply stores have phonics bingo games available for purchase, or teachers can make their own by downloading cards from Bingo Card Creator. Teachers give each student a game card and some plastic bingo chips. The teacher calls out a sound and the children place a chip on the letter that makes that sound. A child says "Bingo" when he fills up one row or the whole card with game chips.
The teacher demonstrates and then guides children as they play "I Spy." She will target a sound and say, "I spy something that begins with the sound 'd'." The students take turns making guesses until someone correctly calls out the object--desk. The teacher calls on students to pick an object in the room and tell classmates the sound it begins with until someone can name it.
Teachers can use this game to help students isolate beginning, middle and ending sounds. The teacher gives clues and asks the children to guess what she is thinking. For example, the teacher says, "I'm thinking of something that begins with "m-m-m-m." It's an animal with a long tail that swings from trees." To practice final sounds, the teacher says, "I'm thinking of something that that ends with with "p-p-p." "It's something I pour my coffee in every morning."