Weekend Fun and Games: I SPY LETTER SOUNDS!
If you’re teaching early literacy, phonemic awareness should be at the top of your priority list — and no, you don’t need a stack of worksheets to build it.
One of the most powerful tools? A good old-fashioned game of “I Spy.”
👀The Game: “I Spy” for Beginning Sounds
How it works:
You say, “I spy something that begins with /s/,” and students take turns guessing what object you might be thinking of in the room. “Sun?” “Sock?” “Scissors?”
It’s that simple. And it works.
🧠 Why It Matters for Phonemic Awareness: Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and play with the individual sounds (phonemes) in words. It’s oral meaning no letters required. The National Reading Panel states that it’s one of the biggest predictors of future reading success.
It strengthens students’ ability to isolate sounds in words.
It keeps them engaged without needing paper or tech.
It transitions well from classroom to home.
🏠Pro Tip: Send It Home
Encourage families to play this version of “I Spy” in the car, while cooking dinner, or waiting in line. One sentence from a parent can unlock a child’s awareness of sounds.
⛰ Teacher/Parent Tip:
Start with easier sounds like /b/, /m/, and /s/. Avoid tricky blends at first, and model the sound slowly and clearly. If you'd like a sequence to teaching letters and sounds feel free to send me an email and I'll get back to you!
Road Trip? Here's a Example for Road Trips, Near and Far!
| Letter | I Spy... | Beginning Sound |
|---|---|---|
| A | an airplane | /a/ |
| B | a bus | /b/ |
| C | a car | /k/ |
| D | a dog | /d/ |
| E | an exit sign | /e/ |
| F | a flag | /f/ |
| G | a gas station | /g/ |
| H | a house | /h/ |
| I | an ice cream shop | /i/ |
| J | a Jeep | /j/ |
| K | a kite (on a sign or in sky) | /k/ |
| L | a license plate | /l/ |
| M | a motorcycle | /m/ |
| N | a number sign | /n/ |
| O | an overpass | /o/ |
| P | a police car | /p/ |
| Q | a quilt (on billboard or logo) | /kw/ |
| R | a railroad crossing | /r/ |
| S | a stop sign | /s/ |
| T | a truck | /t/ |
| U | an umbrella (on a sign or person) | /u/ |
| V | a van | /v/ |
| W | a water tower | /w/ |
| X | an X on a railroad sign | /ks/ |
| Y | a yield sign | /y/ |
| Z | a zoo sign or zigzag road marking | /z/ |
Your Favorite Teacher 👽
-Mrs. A Dove
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