Kinesthetic Activities: Learning by Turning--Hands-on Phonics Games and Activities for Kids That Are Effective
Hands on phonics games and activities are one way to reinforce the skills you are practicing with your children.. As is stated in the video, Phonics Games & Learning Activities by Teacher Created Resources is the source for each activity/game in this article.
The efficiency of kinesthetic learning must not be overlooked. If you think of times when you learned something new, some of you may recall most vividly those experiences you have that ‘stuck. For many of you, it involved doing of some kind.
Phonics is visual and auditory brain food. When it is combined with a game or activity, it becomes an important way to wrap the brain around the mystery sounds can present. The activities here are a few that I used as a teacher. Many teachers use these or some like these daily.
Word Wheels
These are very popular. You can draw your own and create as you wish. Or, you can use the ones in the book
Children see a picture of an animal, such as a cat. The letters a t are printed on the wheel. The children turn the wheel to discover a new word as a new letter appears. You can also ask if there are children who know any at family words that are not on the wheel. You will begin to hear…flat, splat, brat.
This is great for word families which helps to fix the rhyming pattern in these words.
You can also make these beginning or ending digraphs and diphthongs. There is another variation where the diphthong or digraph is in the center of the wheel. Pictures of words containing digraphs or diphthongs at the beginning, middle, or end of a word are shown. Again this give additional practice in identifying these sounds.
More topics of interest
Compound Words
Compound words are fun at any grade level. This activity has been made so easy for you to prepare. In the book, the words and the cute little pictures are ready for your use.
Color, laminate, cut out, and they are ready to use.
The children will view the pictures….cup+cake…they will find the word and set it beside it. You can have this set up as a game where they keep track of how many they can make in 5 minutes. Kids like challenges.
You can also have pairs of children do this. Sometimes you may with to pair a weaker child with one who will be able to assist. They both benefit from the experience.
Practice with long vowels sounds and the mystical e.
For this activity children view a word such a mat.
There will be a picture of a mat beside it. There is a tiny flap at the end of the card with mat. Fold the flap in and there is an e.
Children then say the word. They continue on this way for the ones you have made. It is recommended that you copy on card stock and laminate.
Another way to do this activity is to duplicate the pattern on regular paper. Give the child several to color, cut out, and read. Give children different ones so they can exchange them and take turns reading to each other.
Practice with vowels
For each vowel the letter is printed on the card and the /sound/ they are looking for is indicated. For example: the letter e and it will say: the e in egg and a picture of an egg/the second card will have an e picture of a bee.
There are picture cards provided that will produce the sound that is indicated for each card. This too can be a game but it should be set up as a game after children are becoming confident in this skill. This is great to use at your reading table when you have groups. Everything you need is at your fingertips. Whatever you use, include hands on practice in phonics some part of each day. It is fun, a change of pace, and children are learning.
Unravel the mystery of letter-sound relationships
The Long and Short of It...
Learning long and short sounds can be overwhelming to children. The good news is using games and activities to provide practice as the sounds are introduced makes the acquisition of these sounds much easier.
The ideas shared in this hub were favorites of mine. Kids liked doing them and I was able to use it across the grade levels.
Place your long and short cards in a baggie with the other cards children will use. Or, you can use magnet tape and place them on a board where children can practice.
Children will have cards that will guide their practice.
Have a little fun as you transition or just need a little break
"The Grand Old Duke of York
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill
and he marched them down again.
And when they're up, they're up.
And when they're down, they''re down.
And, when they're only half way up
They're neither up nor down."
Have a little fun, add a little movement to the classroom, and make everyone smile. Follow the simple directions that are given and every one will be on board.
Encourage children to say the words with you
Say the rhyme and when you get to the words
"He marched them up to the top of the hill", everyone stands.
Of course hen you get to the words
"He marched them down again", everyone sits.
And when you get to the words
"When you half way up, you're neither, up nor down,"
Everyone is sort of half stooping.
This is quick and fun and livens up your classroom.
© 2012 Patricia Scott
