First Sound I Spy Mats - Initial Sound Activity
Identifying the initial sound in words and building first sound fluency can be FUN! This printable activity set is an engaging and easy way to help students build first sound fluency skills, an essential phonemic awareness skill for young readers. You will love the just print pages that come in black and white or color, and your students will love the game-based approach to first sound identification practice!
Here's how it works:
•The teacher will secretly choose a word from the list at the bottom of the printable.
•Provide students with the initial sound. For example, “I spy something that starts with /m/.”
•Students will circle or color an object that begins with the sound.
•Reinforce the sound by saying, “/m/ -The first sound in moon is /m/. Say /m/.”
•Repeat with a new word and initial sound. Have fun!
•Please note that this is a teacher-facilitated activity. Students will need an adult to provide the initial sound so that they can search for the object that begins with each sound.
This resource includes:
- 10 black and white, just-print first sound activity mats
- 10 color option mats
- teacher directions
- link to a You Tube video that provides accurate pronunciation of the 44 phonemes
Includes 10 engaging themes for your first sound fluency mats:
- Farm Theme
- Beach Theme
- Garden Theme
- School Theme
- Park Theme
- City Theme
- Desert Theme
- Fantasy Theme
- Jungle Theme
- Construction Theme
Can this activity be differentiated?
Yes! The First Sound I Spy game can be differentiated in length and practice items. A big list of things to search for is typed on the bottom of each page. Have students find as many items as you wish depending upon the amount of time you have allotted, or student needs. (You will pick and choose the sounds you want your students to focus on.)
Multiple ways to play!
Students can follow along on their paper with you, or project the colored page for the whole class to see, and play as a group! In addition to first sound fluency, this activity promotes listening skills, following directions, and vocabulary building opportunities!
Miss DeCarbo, Inc.
