Elkonin Sound Boxes

Phoneme Awareness Procedure 1. Present a picture of an object accompanied by a card with a drawing of boxes equal to the number of phonemes in the word . For example, a picture of a fish would be displayed on a card with three boxes, one for each of the three phonemes /f/—/ĭ/—/sh/ that constitute the word . A picture of a desk would be displayed on a card with four boxes, one for each of the four phonemes /d/—/ĕ/—/s/—/k/ . See the examples on the following page . 2. Provide each child with a set of chips and a card . Explain that they will move one chip into each sound box, starting with the box on the left, as they say each sound in the name of the object pictured . Demonstrate moving one chip for each sound in a word as you say it slowly . After you have moved all chips, say the word while sweeping your hand under the boxes . 3. Ask children to move their chips as they repeat the word you just modeled . Provide feedback and support as needed . 4. Provide additional cards (available in the Digital Resources), and support children as they identify the objects pictured . Slowly repeat the words, and move a chip for each sound they say . Differentiate or Extend ▲ Begin with words that have two phonemes, and then incorporate words with three and four phonemes . ▲ Consonant blends (such as /sk/ in desk) are generally difficult for young children to segment . Avoid using blends initially . Then, provide plenty of support when you do . Letter Connection ▲ Use letter tiles or small cards in place of chips, focusing on simple words containing known letter-sound correspondences . Elkonin Sound Boxes Objective Students will segment words into phonemes . Overview Elkonin Sound Boxes are simple drawings of boxes into which children move chips or other tokens for each sound they hear in a word . In this challenging activity, children view a picture of an object, say the name of the object, and then move chips into the boxes as they say each sound in the word . Teachers will likely wish to use this activity with very small groups or individuals so they can provide ample support and ensure success . Materials Elkonin Sound Box cards (see examples on the next page; samples available in the Digital Resources); chips, counters, or other tokens, letter tiles or small cards (optional) School-Home Connection If children are successful, you may wish to send home the Elkonin Sound Box cards and chips so they can share the activity with family members . As with all objects you give children, ensure that the chips are large enough that they don’t sample samplepresent a choking hazard .

Phoneme Awareness Elkonin Sound Boxes (cont.) Sample Elkonin Sound Boxes sample