Phoneme Segmentation Activities for Beginning Readers

Our sorting activity uses a picture-based approach to help students practice producing words by blending and segmenting phonemes.  Students will look at each phoneme, identify the sounds or phonemes inside the word, and sort the words into categories based on the number of phonemes contained therein.

This sort is a fun and educational way to practice making phoneme blends. It will also lend nicely to further phonemic awareness lessons on

• Phoneme manipulation
• Word Chains
• Syllable Segmentation
• Work with Elkonin Boxes – Consonant Blends
• Onset and Rime Activities

This phoneme segmentation activity will allow for multiple uses as an assessment tool, extra practice for reinforcement, or even an enrichment activity for those little ones who are finishing early!

Through this activity, students will enhance their ability to identify phonemes and corresponding sounds, further improving their reading fluency.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your Reading lessons. 

In addition to individual student work time, use this phonics activity to enhance learning through guided reading groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need help understanding the concepts by

• Invite students to use a visual reminder of letter sounds such as an alphabet chart displayed in the classroom or on their desk plate. 
• Additionally, provide access to previous assignments and posters, and anchor charts for students to recall past lessons.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

• After completing the puzzles, have students record the words and attempt to use them in sentences.

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the color and blackline PDF files for this resource.

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

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This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

teaching resource Blending Phonemes Secret Message-Matching Activity Blend phonemes to build words and uncover the secret message! teaching resource Blending Phonemes BINGO (CVC Words) Practice blending phonemes to form one-syllable words with this set of 20 bingo game boards and cards. teaching resource SPLAT! CVC Word Game A set of 36 task cards to practice decoding and reading 3-letter words.