My first teacher at primary school in the 1970's was a very kind but strict lady!
Every morning, we sat on the carpet, legs crossed, reciting the alphabet parrot fashion until it was ingrained in our brains! By the time we left her class that summer we could all recite the alphabet backwards!
In this blog I am going to explore how to teach phonics in a fun and engaging way through the senses.
For the purposes of this blog I will focus on the letter 'S' using the Letters & Sounds model.
Phonics Sensory Bag
Letter S items
Spaghetti
Satsuma
Straw
Soap
Strawberry
Stick
Sponge
Sunflower Seeds
Smoothie
Spinach
Sprout
Saucer
Sand
(Look through a toy chest for items: snail, spaceman, spinner, snake, spider etc)
Keep language simple.
Focus on phrases such as 'Choose' or 'Take one' when presenting the bag to the student.
Focus on the name of the object e.g., 'starfish', 'sponge', 'snake' and two-word phrases e.g. 'long snake', 'yellow sponge'.
Click Here to learn more about Sensory Bags.
Build Functional Language Skills.
Ask the student to tell you or show you what you might do with the item and where you might find it. (If the student is unsure, model what to do with the item and encourage them to copy your action.)
Extend Learning - Building Word Recognition
Place wooden or magnetic letters next to the corresponding item in your sensory bag e.g., the letters c-a-p, cap, c-a-r, car, f-a-n, fan, h-a-t, hat.
Can the student sound out the letters as they select them from the bag?
Can the student arrange the letters in the correct order to spell the word? e.g., f-a-n
Place two items in the bag along with the letters that spell the word e.g., c-u-p. One item will be the correct item (the cup) and an incorrect item (a hat). Can the student select the correct item to match the word?
Use activities to promote CVC words, e.g., pushing the thumb into dough to make a 'Pit', using the palm of the hand to 'Pat', 'Tap' a wooden block with a beater, 'Sip' through a straw.
Phonics Sensory Bin
A sensory bin is a container filled with themed items that provide a calming activity and the opportunity to learn through exploration whilst engaging the senses and meeting sensory needs.
Setting up a Letter 'S' Phonics Sensory Bin
Layer your tray/bin/box with sand, seeds, straw, sawdust, spaghetti, or soil.
Scatter with items starting with the letter 'S'
Add fine motor tools: cups, spoons, forks, measuring jugs, colander, whisk, sieve, funnel, pipette, tongs, wooden utensils, scoops, paintbrushes, chopsticks.
Add items to encourage scientific investigation: torch, magnifying glass, magnets, pen/paper, egg carton/ice cube/cake baking tray for sorting items, plastic tweezers.
Model mark making the letter 'S' in the base layer of the sensory bin.
Phonics Listening Game
Listening games teach sound discrimination, promoting the development of language, communication and comprehension skills and increasing attention span.
A quick search on the internet will provide you with access to a library of free audio clips and sound effects that can be played via your phone, iPad, Kindle or recorded on a Dictaphone.
There are also sound effect apps available.
Can the student imitate the sound using their voice?
Can the student correctly identify the sound? (Provide plenty of clues!)
Letter 'S' Sounds
Snake
Sneeze
Sealion
Siren
Saxophone
Snoring
Stream
Seagull
Seal
Storm
Squeak
Sea
Click Here to learn more about Sensory Bins
Phonics Listening Game
Listening games teach sound discrimination, promoting the development of language, communication and comprehension skills and increasing attention span.
A quick search on the internet will provide you with access to a library of free audio clips and sound effects that can be played via your phone, iPad or via your Interactive Whiteboard.
If you have a budget, then consider investing in a set of single switch communication devices. These are single button voice recorders e.g., Talking Tile, Talk-Time Recordable Postcard, Talking Wrist Recorder or a BIGMack that record and playback speech, music or sound effects. Some have a removable clear lid that allows you to insert pictures, symbols, numbers, words or letters to match your recordings. They present the listener with great opportunities to explore cause and effect, practice listening skills, record and listen to their voice, enhance the sound effects in a story.
The BBC have made available 16,000 BBC Sound Effects in WAV format to download for use under the terms of the RemArc Licence. The Sound Effects are BBC copyright, but they may be used for personal, educational or research purposes, as detailed in the license.
Click Here to learn more about Sound Effects
Get Crafty!
Reinforce learning with craft activities:
Stuffed Sensory Sock Snakes
This is an excellent activity for encouraging hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and gives you the opportunity to model language as well as providing a wonderful sensory experience.
You will need:
Old Socks or Tights
A Filler: Straw/Sponges/Sand/Sawdust/Soil/Spaghetti (dried)
Activity
Stuff the socks with items starting with the letter 'S', sand will add weight, sage will engage the sense of smell, sticks will add texture and so on.
Tie a knot in the end of the sock to secure.
Allow supervised free exploration of the snakes, they will differ in weight, length, smell and texture.
(Tip! Adding a few drops of essential oil to the fillers will enrich the experience)
Use Tactile Letter Resources
I like to teach using tactile props, it is fun and allows the learner to manipulate and explore the letters and make words without having to write them down.
Wooden letter tiles (I bought these from ebay approx £.2.30)
Scrabble Board and tiles (I bought mine secondhand from a charity shop)
Magnetic Letters on a baking tray.
Paint pebbles and write letters on them.
Use stickers with letters on.
Write in chalks on the patio/fence.
Write letters on recycled plastic milk bottle tops.
Mould letters using clay/plasticine or Play-Doh
Treasure Hunt
Look around the house for items starting with the letter you are learning.
Give plenty of clues!
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Health & Safety Advice & Disclaimer
Please Read Before Engaging in any of the Activities
The author has used their best efforts in preparing the information on this website and makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness to the contents.
The information is for pleasure purposes only.
If you wish to apply any ideas and activities contained in this blog, on the website or in any of the multisensory stories or resources, you are wholly responsible and take full responsibility for your actions.
The activities are designed to be led and supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
A Note on Allergies/Intolerances
If you have any doubts regarding any activity or prop used, then seek advice before starting.
Be aware of potential choking hazards.
Check the ingredients in any items you may be using for any potential food or skin allergies or respiratory reactions. If you see any signs of redness, swelling or other symptoms of a suspected reaction seek immediate medical advice.
The interactions should be led by the sensory explorer who should be allowed to participate without expectation.
Never force stimuli and stop the activity if the story explorer shows signs that they are not enjoying the session.
Your questions, queries, comments and feedback are always welcome!
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Thanks for your comments 🙂 I agree with you that students love having the tiles to move around, it gives the opportunity to experiment with the spelling of a word. I like the sensory bags as they promote communication skills.
I use wooden tiles with my fourth graders and they love having something to move about. We give our students SO much white paper, it all blends together; the papers, the learning, the EVERYTHING! I love the idea of the sensory bins for younger students or preschool children-great ideas for parents too!