View source for Sound Blending Game

{{Infobox Lesson
| Name          = Sound Blending Game
| Topic         = Language
| Subtopic      = Language Foundation
| image         = [[File:Sound Blending 1.jpg|270px]]
| Level         = [[Primary]]
| Age           = 2.5
| Preqs         = none
| Materials     = a [[Miniature Objects|collection of objects]] on a mat<br>'''or'''<br>objects around the room
}}
The purpose of this activity is to teach children to blend together individual sounds ([[phonemes]]) into words.  
== Presentations ==
Note: Do not use the letter names for these games.  Use the [[Phonemes |sounds]] of the letters.<br>
These can be done with one or several children. It is a good choice for [[Circle Time]].<br>
===With Objects or Pictures===
#Have 3 to 5 objects (or pictures) on a table or mat. The objects should have only 2 or 3 sounds in their names.
#:[[File:Sound Blending 1.jpg|300px]]
#Show the children the objects. Be sure that they know the names of each.<br/ >If they don't know the name of one of the objects, tell them its name, but say that you'll put it aside for next time.
#Say, "I'm thinking of one of these things. I'll say the sounds in its name, and you tell me which one it is."
#Say the  sounds ([[phonemes]]) in the name of one of the objects. Pause only slightly between each sound:<br/ >"/'''sh'''/ /'''i'''/ /'''p'''/"
#:[[File:Sound Blending 2.jpg|300px]]
#If none of the children pick the correct object, then tell them the name of the thing you were thinking of, and try a different one.<br>Repeat the ones that were missed after. They will get the idea of the game after a few tries.

===With Objects in a Category===
This version is done with unseen objects that a person is thinking of.<br>
*"I'm thinking of an animal..."
*"I'm thinking of a food..."
*"I'm thinking of something in the classroom..."
*"I'm thinking of a body part..."
*"I'm thinking of a piece of clothing..."
===With Children's Names===
This could be done as a way to dismiss the first few students from [[Circle Time]].
*"I'm thinking of someone whose name has the sounds /'''ai'''/ /'''d'''/ /'''e'''/ /'''n'''/."

== Points of Interest ==

== Control of Error ==
This activity does not have any built-in control of error, it must be done with an adult or an older child.

== Variations and Extensions ==
===Extensions===
*Pause longer between each sound
*Use words with four or more sounds
*Online version at [https://phonicsandstuff.com/blender Phonics and Stuff]
{|
|width="500"|[[image:Sound Blending online game.jpg|link=https://phonicsandstuff.com/blender|500px]]
|}

== Material ==
'''Classroom'''<br>
The small objects that can be used in this activity are also used in other language activities.  Some teacher choose to have a large collection of these and then swap them out from time to time.<br>
See the page on [[Miniature Objects]] for more information on putting together a collection of objects for this activity.<br>

'''Homeschool'''<br>
In a homeschool environment you can often get by with just gathering up items from around the house and skip the collection of miniature objects altogether (spoon, pot, phone, can, pen, coat, hat, shirt, etc.).<br>

===Make Your Own===
[[Category:Make_your_own]]
See [[Miniature Objects#Make Your Own|the Make Your Own section of the Miniature Objects page]] for information on how to make these objects.

==Further Reading==
*''[[Reading Reflex]]'' by Carmen McGuinness & Geoffrey McGuinness, page 66
*''[[The Phonics Handbook]]'' by Sue Lloyd and Sara Wernham, page 15
*''[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/190599/Letters_and_Sounds_-_DFES-00281-2007.pdf Letters and Sounds]'' by the UK Department for Education and Skills, page 42-43

{{#seo:
 |title=Sound Blending Game
 |title_mode=replace
 |keywords=Montessori Album,lesson activity,language,foundation,sound blending game
 |description=The purpose of this activity is to teach children to blend together individual sounds (phonemes) into words.  
 |published_time={{REVISIONYEAR}}-{{REVISIONMONTH}}-{{REVISIONDAY2}}
}}