I Spy
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I Spy | |
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Language - Language Foundation | |
Level | Primary |
Age | 2.5 |
Prerequisites | none |
Materials | a collection of objects on a mat or objects around the room |
The purpose of this activity is to make children aware of the separate sounds (phonemes) that make up words.
Presentations
Note: Do not use the letter names for these games. Use the sounds of the letters.
Beginning Sounds
Introduction
This can be done with one or a few children. It can be a formal lesson that takes place at a table or a mat, or it can be done casually during the course of the daily activities (but of course, do not interrupt a child who is at work with another activity).
- For the child's introduction to the game, make the first clues as obvious as possible: "I spy some thing that starts with 'b' that you are holding in your hand."
- Other ones to begin with are: "I spy something you are sitting on that starts with 'ch'," or "I spy someone who just came in the room whose name starts with 'j'."
With 2 or 3 Objects
- Step one
- Next step
With Several Objects
- Step one
- Next step
With Objects Around the Room
- Step one
- Next step
Ending Sounds
- Step one
- Next step
Middle Sounds
Points of Interest
Control of Error
This activity does not have any built-it control of error, it must be done with an adult or an older child.
Variations and Extensions
- Once the child can do beginning and ending sounds, you could play the game using just ending sounds. One way to do this would be to use a collection of objects that all have the same beginning sound.
- A version of the game could be played with objects that are not present: "I'm thinking of an animal that starts with 'b'."
Material
The small objects used in this activity are also used in other language activities. It can be nice to have a large collection of these and then swap them out from time to time.
See the page on Miniature Objects for more information on putting together a collection of objects for this activity.
Make Your Own
See the Make Your Own section of the Miniature Objects page for information on how to make these objects.