SYLLABLES

b.  Count, pronounce, blend, and segment syllables in spoken words.

Move It! Clap, hop, walk, or nod the syllables in children’s names and classroom objects.  Disco, hula, swim, or march to syllables in rhymes and songs.

Hickety Pickety – Slowly clap hands to the beat as you say the chant below.

            Hickety, pickety bumblebee

            Who can say their name for me?  Child’s name.

            Clap it.  (Clap out syllables as you say the name.)

            Snap it.  (Snap syllables in name.)

            Whisper it.  (Whisper name.)

            No sound.  (Lip sinc name.)

Instruments - Have children beat out syllables with instruments.  You could also use cardboard rollers, straws, pencils, etc. like drum sticks to tap out rhythms and syllables.

Syllable Show - Slowly say a word.  Children hold up the number of syllables

they hear on their fingers.

*You could also let them show the number of syllables by placing the appropriate number of poker chips on their desk.

                       

Mouth It - Have children gently place their palm under their chin and ask them repeat to words.  Surprise!  The mouth opens on each syllable (all syllables have vowels and the mouth opens).

Sound Sack –  Take a small sack and fill it with common objects or small toys.  Engage children’s attention with this song to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot.”

            What’s in the sound sack, who can tell?

            Maybe it’s a book or maybe it’s a shell?

            What’s in the sound sack, who can say?

            Blend the sounds, you’ll know right away!

Choose an object and stretch out the sounds.  When children can blend the sounds and say the word, remove it from the sack and place it on the floor.  Before putting each item back in the bag, segment the sounds again.            

*Start with compound words.  When children are successful with that, use objects with two syllables.  Finally, children will be able to blend individual phonemes.

Finger Tap -  Bend in your fingers and extend your thumb.  Going from the left

tap a finger for each sound with your thumb. 

For example:  /j/ /e/ /t/.  Run your thumb over your fingers as you blend the sounds and say the word.

*You can do a similar activity by extending your left arm in front of you.  Make the first sound as you touch your shoulder, the second sound as you touch the elbow, and the third sound as you touch the hand.  Then quickly sweep the

right hand down your left arm as you blend the sounds and say the word.