This sorting activity is an engaging and interactive way for students to develop early phonemic awareness and letter-sound correspondence. This resource helps students recognise the initial sounds in words by sorting picture cards based on their beginning sounds.

How to Complete

1. Print the sorting mats and the picture cards on thick card. Cut out the picture cards before the first use.
2. Provide each student with a sorting mat and place the initial sound picture cards in a pile.
3. Students will select a picture card, say the word aloud, and identify its initial sound.
4. They will then place this card on the mat the corresponds with the correct sound.
5. Students will continue sorting until their mat is full.

Additional Tips

1. Attach hook and loop dots to each space on the Initial Sound Sort Mat and the back of each Initial Sound Picture card, allowing them to be attached during use.
2. Encourage articulation practise by having students exaggerate and isolate the initial sound of each word.

Extension Ideas

1. Challenge Time: Ask students to write a list of additional words that start with the same initial sound and draw their own pictures.
2. Write It: Have students write the letter and the corresponding word on a mini whiteboard after correctly placing the card.
3. Sound Hunt: After sorting, students can go on a classroom scavenger hunt to find real objects that start with the same initial sound.

This engaging activity makes learning phonics fun and interactive, helping students build strong foundational literacy skills.

This resource is available in our basic fun font and all Australian state fonts.