Phonetic Object Box

Phonetic Object Box
Language - Reading
Level	Primary
Prerequisites	Bridge to Reading
Materials	small objects with phonetic names small box or basket slips of paper pencil

In this activity the child matches written words to objects.

Presentation

1. Carry the material to a mat or table. Place the container of objects in the upper right corner. If at a mat, you will need a clipboard for writing.

   

2. Take the objects one at a time and have the child name each one, then lay them across the top of the table. If the child doesn't know the name of the object you can either tell them the name or just set the object aside.

   

3. Write the word for one of the little objects on a slip of paper.

   

4. Have the child sound out the word, and then match it to the correct object.

   

5. Continue doing this until every object has its label.

   

6. If the child shows interest, remove the labels and mix them up. Match them to the objects again.

   

7. Put the labels in the basket along with the objects so the child can do the work later on their own. You could also have pre-printed labels.

   

Variations and Extensions

The words slips could be put out first, and then the objects could be matched to them.

Material

Make Your Own

• If done in a homeschool environment, you may wish to use a larger container and collect some normal sized objects that you already have from around your home.
  (cup, hat, pen, bag, box, lid, etc.)

Further Reading

• A Path for the Exploration of Any Language Leading to Writing and Reading by Muriel Dwyer, pages 25-26
• A Key to Writing and Reading for English by Muriel Dwyer, page 11
• Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-fives by David Gettman, pages 150-152
• Teaching Montessori in the Home: The School Years by Elizabeth G. Hainstock, pages 110, 128-129
• Montessori Read & Write by Lynne Lawrence, pages 106-109