Work together to build and protect a town that is under attack by giant robots. Choose to upgrade the homes within the town and grow the population, strengthen the town walls or actively attack the robots. Each correct answer gives students the power to take action and keep their town safe!

In this version, students practise identifying the initial sound /a/ by selecting the correct image from a set of choices. With each accurate answer, they develop phonemic awareness, strengthen letter-sound correspondence, and improve early reading and listening skills, all while actively contributing to the protection of their town.

Let’s Defend – Letter A Initial Sounds is perfect for Early Years to Year 1 students working on early phonics. Use it during literacy rotations, as a warm-up, or for independent practise using the QR code to combine foundational skills with interactive gameplay.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify the initial sound /a/ in spoken words
• ✅ Match sounds to corresponding images
• ✅ Strengthen early phonemic awareness and sound recognition
• ✅ Develop confidence in early reading and listening skills
• ✅ Engage in interactive gameplay that supports learning through visuals

How to Play:

1. Students are shown a group of images and asked to choose the one that begins with the /a/ sound.
2. Each correct answer earns them an action to either defend, upgrade, or grow their town.
3. If answered incorrectly, the town misses that opportunity to build or protect.
4. The game continues until all questions are answered and the town’s strength is revealed.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during phonics sessions to reinforce the letter A and initial sounds
• 💡 Great for Early Years–Year 1 students building early letter-sound knowledge
• 💡 Pair with follow-up writing or drawing tasks featuring words that begin with /a/
• 💡 Play as a small-group station during guided reading or literacy rotations

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Let students personalise their experience by choosing from six characters before the game begins
• 💛 Select the number of players or teams at the start of the game to suit individual, paired, or group play
• 💛 Send the QR code home for students to play as a homework or revision task

Let’s Defend – Letter A Initial Sounds supports early sound recognition through interactive, robot-themed play, turning foundational phonics practise into a mission to save the town!