Building Letter Sound Knowledge Activity Cards

This fun letter sounds activity uses task cards and images in a hands-on letter formation game to help kindergarten and 1st-grade students identify the beginning sounds of words.

When you pair letter sounds with pictures students can easily recognize, you allow students to tap into their established identification skills. They say to themselves, “Hey, I know what this is!”, setting up your students for success by building the confidence to master identifying the first letters of common words. 

Furthermore, initial sound games encourage students to identify the first letters of words everywhere they look, developing their foundational language skills and phonological awareness both in and outside of the classroom. 

Use These Task Cards to Teach Letter Sound Association

This resource is best used in a reading center. It can also be used as a small group activity (additional ideas below). 

The student will draw cards and identify the beginning sound in the picture. Then they will use items like play dough, yarn, or cotton swabs to create the beginning letter of the word. 

Early finishers can be encouraged to grab a set of task cards for independent learning once they have completed an assignment. Plus having all the materials pre-collected in a bag or box allows for students to have everything they need to complete the task cards without interrupting your planning time or distracting classmates still working.  

Additionally, you may find you have a few minutes in between lessons, or that your students are waiting in line before heading into the cafeteria, the gym, or art room. Hang a set of task cards up next to your door and grab them on the way out to keep your students engaged and entertained while waiting.

Preparing This Beginning Sounds Activity for Your Students

Use the dropdown menu to choose between the easy to print PDF version of this resource or the editable Google Slides version.

Print the task cards on cardstock for durability to use in small groups or centers. 

1. Click on the Printer icon at the top left corner of the preview box
2. From the dialogue box that pops up, make sure the box next to “Print on both sides of paper” is unchecked
3. Click the “Print” button

Cut out the task cards, punch a hole in the corner of each card, and attach them to a binder ring. Gather supplies needed for crafting the letters. Put the cards, supplies, and directions in a labeled box or bag to make grabbing the task cards easy from your classroom reading center. 

This resource was created by Lauren Piper, a teacher in Illinois and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

More Letter Sounds Activities

Don’t forget to browse additional activities and resources for teaching letter sounds!

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