Matching Sounds Pictures

Unit Context

Unit: Hairy Maclary Adventures Lesson: 2 of 7 Duration: 45 minutes Class size: 8 Foundation students Subject: English

Australian Curriculum References

Content Descriptions (Foundation Year English)

ACELA1437: Recognise that texts are made up of words and images and these works together to convey meaning.
ACELA1446: Recognise and produce rhyming words and alliteration.
ACELA1439: Identify and experiment with the sounds and rhythms of spoken words, including alliteration, rhyme, and rhythm.
ACELA1424: Understand that spoken sounds can be represented by letters (phonemes, graphemes).
ACELY1646: Use sound-letter relationships to support spelling and writing.
ACELY1650: Use familiar texts as models to create their own texts and understand that pictures and print carry meaning.

General Capabilities

Literacy: Applying knowledge of phonemic awareness as the foundation for reading and writing.
Critical and Creative Thinking: Exploring and making connections between letters, sounds, and images.
Personal and Social Capability: Working collaboratively in small groups, taking turns, and communicating ideas.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

Recognise specific letter sounds found in the Hairy Maclary story.
Match letter sounds to corresponding pictures from the story, strengthening phonemic awareness.
Begin to understand that letters represent sounds in spoken words (sound-letter correspondence).
Engage collaboratively with peers in a playful, hands-on literacy activity.

Lesson Resources

Hairy Maclary storybook or story images/picture cards from the story.
Large laminated letter cards (letters representing key initial sounds in the story: e.g., H, M, C, D, S, T).
Picture cards with images from Hairy Maclary (dog, cat, tail, tree, street, etc.).
Velcro or magnetic board for matching activity.
Whiteboard/chart paper and markers.
Sound-making instruments (optional: small shakers or clapping for rhythm).

Lesson Plan Overview

Time	Activity Description	Details and Teacher Role
0-5 mins	Welcome and Warm-Up	Gather students on the mat, briefly revisit Hairy Maclary story or pictures to stimulate memory. Teacher models enthusiasm. Activate prior knowledge of sounds they heard.
5-10 mins	Sound Exploration Introduction	Teacher introduces the concept of letter sounds using a few key letters from the story. Use sound stretching, exaggerate sounds (e.g., “Mmm for Maclary,” “T for Tail”). Engage students in repeating sounds. Add rhythm or clapping to enhance engagement.
10-20 mins	Matching Sounds to Pictures Activity	- Show students a letter card and ask which picture card matches the sound at the start of the word (e.g., letter ‘D’ with picture of dog). - Students take turns placing picture cards next to letter cards on the Velcro/magnetic board. - Teacher prompts thinking by asking probing questions (“What sound do you hear at the start of this word?”). - Encourage students to vocalise the sound and word.
20-30 mins	Group Discussion and Reinforcement	- Discuss which letters matched which images. - Highlight patterns noticed (e.g., ‘S’ sound for street and scratch). - Depending on student engagement, sing a quick “Hairy Maclary Sound Song” using key letter sounds and encourage hand claps or stomps for rhythm.
30-40 mins	Independent or Paired Practice	- Provide students with a small set of letter and picture cards. - In pairs or individually, students match letters to images. - Teacher circulates, providing support and encouragement, asking students to say the sounds aloud before matching.
40-45 mins	Reflection and Closing	- Gather students together. - Ask them what their favourite letter sound was and which picture they liked. - Recap that letters make sounds and sounds help us know words. - Praise effort and participation. - Set a simple “listening for sounds” challenge at home or in the classroom (e.g., “Can you find something around you that starts with the same sound as Hairy Maclary’s ‘M’?”).

Assessment

Formative Assessment: Teacher observes students’ ability to identify initial sounds and successfully match sounds to pictures during the group and individual activities.
Anecdotal Notes: Record which sounds students find easy or difficult, noticing errors and correct responses.
Student Voice: Capture student reflections during the closing circle about their favourite sounds or images.

Differentiation

Support: Provide extra modelling and physical cues such as hand gestures or visual prompts for students requiring more assistance.
Challenge: Encourage students who grasp concepts quickly to think of other words beginning with the same sound, related to the story or their own experience.
Use tactile letters to support multisensory learners.

Teaching Tips / Wow Factor

Use expressive sound effects or animal noises from the story to draw student attention and connect phonics to a storyworld context.
Incorporate a mini “sound detective” role where students wear a hat or badge and hunt for letters/sounds in the classroom or storybook.
Use student voice recordings in future lessons to replay and self-assess sound pronunciation and matching.
Include movement: students can jump or tiptoe to particular letters or pictures around the room to reinforce kinaesthetic learning.

This lesson supports foundation students in building essential phonemic awareness and sound-letter knowledge through engaging, playful activities directly linked to a beloved Australian story, Hairy Maclary. The focus on matching sounds to pictures fosters early literacy skills foundational for reading and writing success, in alignment with the Australian Curriculum (v9) English standards.

Teaching Instructions