Practice segmenting and blending sounds in words with this festive and fun Christmas phonemic awareness activity. Just print, play, and practice!
Phonemic awareness is the foundation of learning to read. But sometimes, practicing the components of phonemic awareness can get…well…monotonous!
The last thing I wanted was for my students to think such an essential task was boring to practice!
Thus, this holiday phonemic awareness activity was born. It’s a fun way to switch up our typical phonemic awareness routine.
Christmas Phonemic Awareness Activity – Blending and Segmenting Sounds
In this print-and-play activity, students practice blending and segmenting sounds in words.
Students use the Christmas lights mats to separate the sounds. Each lightbulb gets one, and only one, sound.
The picture cards show the words that the students will have to blend and/or segment.
I have students do both!
Playing the Phonemic Awareness Christmas Game
We play this game in small groups. Typically, it’s done during guided reading, but it also makes a great center if you’re able to be present for the center.
When we play this game, I give each student their own “sound mat.”
I place all the word cards in a deck. I draw a card. Before I show them the picture, I say the sounds separately. Students have to mimic the sounds while pointing to their sound mats.
Remember, each light bulb gets only one sound.
This also turns into a “guessing game.” (I mean, I hope they’re actually listening to the sounds and not merely guessing, but you know what I mean. 😉 )
After students have segmented each sound by echoing it and pointing to one light on their sound mat as they sound they sound, they slide their fingers across the sound mat and say the sounds more quickly.
They start blending the sounds together. Before we know it, someone has heard (and is shouting out) the word! YAY!
After the word has been correctly guessed heard, I show them the picture card. We say the word on the card together.
Then, one at a time, I pass the picture card to each student. When they get the card, they have to:
- Say the word
- Segment the word on their sound mat
- Blend the word back together
Once everyone has had a turn, we repeat the process with a new card.
Segmenting and Blending Words with Three Sounds
We start off with the picture cards for words with three sounds.
Here are some examples of how practicing segmenting and blending words with three sounds:
Segmenting and Blending Words with Four Sounds
Once the group has mastered words with three sounds, we move onto four sounds. This is definitely more challenging!
Here are some examples of how practicing segmenting and blending words with four sounds:
You can find this resource in my Teachers Pay Teachers store by clicking here.
What do you think? Do you have any ideas or activities for making sure phonemic awareness practice is fun and engaging?