Beginning Sounds Match: Match & Master Beginning Sounds!

This resource can be used as a reading center activity, with your guided reading group, or as a full class activity to practice applying letter-sound correspondence and beginning sounds.

There are 2 versions of this activity included with your download:

• Matching the letter with the picture that has that beginning sound 
• Matching pictures that have the same beginning sound, e.g., dog = dinosaur

To play, choose either version of the game, depending on your students’ proficiency. Shuffle the cards, and divide them equally among players. One player lays a domino down the middle of the playing area. Students take turns matching the letter with its picture (or pictures with matching beginning sounds).

For example, if a player were to lay down the “🐝” domino. The next player would then play the domino with “Bb,” laying it adjacent to the picture. Gameplay continues in this way until someone lays down their last domino, making them the winner.

Turn This Activity into Even More Beginning Sounds Games

Letter Clips 

This version is especially helpful for those students who are struggling to match the letters of the alphabet with their sounds. Gather 52 clothespins and write a letter of the alphabet on each so that you have 2 sets of each letter. Using the picture version of the game, have students identify the word and choose the clothespin that matches the first letter of each card. Because there is one card for each letter of the alphabet, you will be easily able to check their work and help with any cards giving the student trouble. 

Beginning Sounds Human Chain (Scoot Activity)

Provide each student in your class with a domino. Challenge the students to find both of their other halves, creating one long chain of dominoes. For an extra challenge ask the students to complete the task in silence!

Bell Ringer Activity

Project a letter/picture card for your students to see as soon as they enter the classroom. On a piece of paper, have students write one word that starts with the letter, and write the first letter of the word in the picture. 

Easily Prepare This Beginning Letter Sounds Resource

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. Print the task cards on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all game parts in a folder or large envelope. 

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

More Beginning Sounds Activities for the Classroom

We’ve got more beginning, middle, and end sounds activities in the reading area, but our members and their students especially like these: 

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Frog Fun Game - Beginning, Middle, and Ending sounds

Game cards and instructions for a frog-themed CVC word combination game.

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Beginning Sounds Sorting Activity

Practice identifying beginning sounds of words by sorting this set of 24 picture cards.

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CVC Beginning and Ending Letters Worksheet Pack

Practice identifying missing beginning and ending sounds and letters in this set of 10 CVC worksheets.