Level 4: Classifying Objects

Separation of Sound

Level 4 Activities focus on the separation of sounds in a word. Children ready for this Level 4, have a good sense of focus sounds (phonemic awareness) and are ready to acoustically divide words into their individual focus sounds.

This skill is reverse of sound (phoneme) blending, where “sound units” are combined (Level 2). While separation of sounds (phoneme segmentation) appears to be a simple exercise, many children, even older ones, struggle with this skill. They may be able to identify isolated sounds (recognition), but cannot break a word into separate sound (phonemic) components.

Early Literacy Foundational Skills

• Sound (Phoneme) Counting

  • listen & detect the number of sounds (phonemes) in a word

• Sound (Phoneme) Segmentation

  • listen & detect individual sounds at the beginning of a word

  • listen & detect individual sounds at the ending of a word

  • listen & detect words that rhyme

Classifying Objects

GOALS: sound (phoneme) counting

Materials

• Bags of small objects

• Chart paper with four column headings: 2, 3, 4, 5

• Permanent marker

In Advance:

Fill bags with a variety of objects. Create a chart with four column headings of 2, 3, 4, & 5.

Directions for New & Established Players:

1. Have the child(ren) pull one object from the bag and say the object’s name.

2. Ask the child(ren) to place the object under the correct column on the chart.

   For example, a key would be placed under the 2 column for the /k/ and /e/ sounds (phonemes). A penny would be placed under the 4 column for the /p/ /e/ /n/ and /e/ sounds (phonemes).

3. Have the child(ren) continue to pull one item from the bag and repeat steps 1 and 2 for each individual item.

CHALLENGE:

• Use objects with 4 or more sounds (phonemes).

HELPFUL TIPS:

• Always model first until the child is comfortable with this activity.

• Begin with words with two or three sounds (phonemes).

• First practice counting the number of sounds (phonemes) in a word. Say the word slowly as the child(ren) listen for, tap out, and count the number of sounds (phonemes) heard.