Mini-Lesson: Phonics/Phonemic Awareness Games
Created by Patricia Carey, SLM Student, The University
of Georgia, Spring 2006
Background:
I chose the topic of games, specifically those geared toward
phonemic awareness and phonetics for younger children. During my first year of
teaching, I taught Kindergarten and First grade students in the Early
Intervention Program (EIP). These were students who needed instruction that was
differentiated from the norm. I turned to my media center to see what was on
hand that I could use to teach these children. I found a few simple board games
(i.e. Word Chunks) that helped me reach my students. In addition to performing
below grade level, many of my students also suffered from ADD/ADHD. Games gave
them an avenue to participate in learning in an active way that suited their
learning styles.
Instructional Uses:
- Small
group instruction
- Literacy Center activities
- Differentiated
approach to learning
- Social
interactivity
- Reinforcement
of skills taught
- Stimulate
interest in learning
According to Van Orden (2001),
games can be used in instruction, either directly or in a center, and provide a
means for students to “participate in a variety of roles and events” (p. 159).
Furthermore, Van Orden asserts that games enable
players to “operate within the rules,” thus providing situations for social
interaction.
Selection Criteria
(Van Orden, 2001, p. 159):
- Packaging
should be designed to store and quickly identify missing parts.
- Missing
parts—consider replacement.
- Items
must be durable.
- Directions
must be clear and age appropriate.
- Content,
reading level, time requirements, and required dexterity should be
appropriate for the intended audience.
- If the
game requires a computer, be certain that it will run on the school’s
equipment.
- Cost
should not be too great or elaborate for its intended use.
Useful Tips:
- Laminate
cards, game pieces, and instructions for extended use.
- Make
duplicate copies of instructions in the event that originals are lost.
- Store
pieces in Ziploc bags and/or small plastic storage containers.
- Each
game should be clearly labeled with number of pieces required for play.
- Check
for missing pieces each time the game is returned.
- Keep a
container with spare pieces to replenish lost ones. Ask faculty to donate
spare game pieces.
- Consider
storage in plastic tubs (clearly affix labels) if boxes begin to break
down after extended use.
- Single
copies of computer games will break copyright laws when they are installed
on multiple computers.
- Games
do not have to be commercially made. The Web is a great resource for
teacher created games. (http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/Dolch/Directions/pig.html)
Suggested Games for
Phonemic Awareness and Phonics instruction:
- Word
Chunks
- ABC
Bingo
- The
Cat in the Hat Game
- Green
Eggs and Ham Game
- Other
Cat in the Hat games
- ABC
Phonics Set (for flannel board)
- Word for
Word Phonics Game (uses Reading Rods)
- Pharaoh’s
Phonics Games
- Python
Path Word Ending Game
- Letter
Factory Game (Leap Frog)
- Individual
Leap Pad units with a variety of games (Leap Frog)
Vendors:
1-800-214-9531
(Visit Everything Unique in Gainesville)
(11 stores in the Metro Atlanta
area)
Personal
Recommendations:
These are some of my favorite games:
- Letter
Factory Game (Leap Frog)
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (CD-rom)
- Sound
it Out Land (CD-rom)
- Ready
to Read with Pooh (CD-rom)
- Sunken
Treasure (board game)
- Creepy Cave (board game)
- Assorted
games from www.theschoolbell.com