Letter Sounds Introduction

Grade: 2

Duration: 30 minutes

Class size: 4 Students

Unit: Fundations Fun Adventures

Lesson 1 of 5

---

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Identify and pronounce basic letter sounds (consonants and vowels).
• Recognize letter sounds when spoken aloud.
• Blend sounds to begin decoding simple words.

---

Standards Alignment

This lesson aligns with the following Common Core State Standards (CCSS):

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.A

• Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.B

• Distinguish long and short vowels when reading regularly spelled one-syllable words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.C

• Decode regularly spelled two-syllable words with long vowels.

---

Materials

• Fun in Focus Book (selected pages for letter sounds)
• Letter sound flashcards (consonants and vowels)
• Whiteboard & dry erase markers
• Sound sorting mats or paper plates labeled “Consonant” and “Vowel”
• Small prize tokens (stickers or stamps) for positive reinforcement

---

Lesson Breakdown

1. Warm-Up: Sound Awareness (5 minutes)

• Activity:
  • Teacher models several letter sounds aloud, exaggerating mouth movements.
  • Students echo each sound.
  • Use letters from Fun in Focus on the whiteboard for visual connection (e.g., T, S, A, E).
• Objective: Build auditory recognition and pronunciation confidence.

2. Introduction: Letter Sound Exploration (10 minutes)

• Activity:
  • Using Fun in Focus book, read aloud the pages that introduce select consonant and vowel sounds.
  • Students listen and follow the pictures and letters in the book.
  • Teacher points to each letter and models the sound again.
• Interactive Element:
  • After hearing each sound, students say it in unison and then individually.
• Objective: Connect visual letter to its sound using multisensory learning (visual, auditory).

3. Guided Practice: Flashcard Sound Identification Game (8 minutes)

• Activity:
  • Shuffle flashcards.
  • Teacher shows flashcard, says letter name then the sound.
  • Students take turns picking a card and pronouncing the sound.
  • If correct, student places card on the correct sorting mat “Consonant” or “Vowel.”
• Differentiation:
  • For hesitation, teacher provides a hint or models the sound again.
• Objective: Practice decoding and categorizing letter sounds interactively.

4. Group Sound Game: “Sound Detective” (5 minutes)

• Activity:
  • Teacher says a sound without showing the letter.
  • Students “detect” by finding the flashcard matching the sound and holding it up.
  • Quick round to keep energy/motivation high.
• Objective: Reinforce sound-to-letter correspondence and listening skills.

5. Closure and Assessment (2 minutes)

• Review by asking students to say aloud their favorite letter sound learned today.
• Teacher gives each student a “Sound Star” sticker as recognition for participation.
• Inform students of next lesson focus: blending sounds to form words.

---

Assessment

• Informal formative assessment through observation during flashcard activities and Sound Detective game.
• Check for accurate pronunciation and ability to distinguish vowel and consonant sounds.
• Adjust upcoming lessons based on students’ ease or difficulty with letter sound recognition.

---

Additional Teacher Tips

• Use exaggerated phoneme articulation to help muscle memory for sounds.
• Encourage peer support and praise gently to promote confidence.
• Incorporate movement by letting students stand or gesture when giving responses.
• Record students' sounds with a tablet or phone (with permission) for playback and self-correction.

---

This lesson activates multiple senses (seeing, hearing, speaking), incorporates cooperative learning, and aligns tightly with CCSS foundational reading skills — all tailored for a small, focused group of 2nd graders beginning their Fundations journey.