Searching for an engaging, purposeful and low-prep play tray that will develop your students’ ability to identify initial and medial sounds in CVC words? Our Teaching With Play Trays resource is just what you need to get started!   Students will love the challenge of determining which sound is missing from the farm-themed CVC words and searching the farm for the matching sound card! Everything you need to set up this play tray activity is included within this versatile resource, including:

1. Detailed instructions (including a list of equipment, instructions for use, optional suggestions, question prompts and an example set up of the play tray).
2. Farm-themed CVC task cards (including words with missing initial or medial sounds).
3. Sound cards (to match the task cards).
4. Editable CVC and sounds cards (feel free to to add more sounds and create CVC cards by adding your own clipart to the template).
5. Farm Pieces (optional decorations for the tray).
6. Colourful signs for you to display alongside your play tray (includes a version with a learning intention).
7. Editable signs (for you to add your learning intention or instructions to).

  To set up your play tray or tuff tray, simply print the included templates on thick card and cut them out. Add the farm pieces or farm-themed toys, such as farm animals, fences or tractors, to the tuff tray. The sound cards can be scattered around the tray or hidden behind the printable farm pieces or toys. Ensure each student has access to a pile of CVC task cards. We recommend adding hook and loop dots to the CVC and sound cards so they can easily be matched and sounded out!   The aim of the task is for students to identify the sound that is missing from the farm-themed CVC word on the task cards. They must then locate the missing sound card in the tuff tray. During the activity, ask the students questions to determine their understanding.   To extend your students’ learning, ask them questions about the images on the CVC cards. For example, you could ask students to identify where on the farm they might spy the animal or object featured on the card. Alternatively, you could ask students to describe what the animal or object might do on the farm or what it is used for. By doing this you are providing an opportunity for them to develop their oral language skills. If you would like your students to practise writing the missing sounds on the CVC cards, simply laminate them and provide students with dry-erase markers. Students can have a go at writing the letters before erasing them at the end of the lesson, ready to be reused! The possibilities are endless with this versatile resource!   Available in our basic fun font and all Australian state fonts.