Personal tools

Silent letter accuracy, Sorting

From FreeReading

Jump to: navigation, search
Activity Type: Build Accuracy
Activity Form: Standard
Grade: 1, 2
Group Size: Small Group
Length: 10 minutes
Materials: Silent Letter word cards from Advanced phonics word cards, blank index cards
Goal: Given a word, the student can read the word fluently and identify the silent letter (lamb-> “lamb”-> “silent b”).
Items: All silent letter words learned so far.

What to do

  1. Before beginning the activity, print Silent Letter word cards. On the blank index cards write the categories: “silent e”, “silent b”, “silent c”, “silent k”, “silent w”, “silent t”,and “silent g”. Assign students to groups of four or five students. Each group should have at least twenty silent letter word cards and a set of the labeled cards.
  2. Today, we are going to do a sorting activity. You will work in your groups to sort all of the cards correctly. You will be putting them in piles based on their silent letter.
  3. Spread the labeled cards on your table. Put all of the word cards in a pile face down on the table.
  4. You will each take a turn to pick the top card. You will have to read the card correctly. If you read it correctly, you can place it under the correct labeled card. For example, if I choose the word “w-r-a-p” I have to think about which is the silent letter. Hmmm. I think the silent letter is “w” so I will read the word “rap”. I will place the card under the “silent w” card.
  5. Now, it is the next person’s turn. If Fred reads the card incorrectly, his group members will tell him he read it incorrectly, but they will not tell him how to read it correctly. Fred will hold on to his card. He will have another chance to read the word again at the end. Remember, only say that the card was read incorrectly; don’t give away the correct reading of the word.
  6. You will keep going around the circle until the pile is gone. Then, you will go around and try to place the words that you got wrong the first time. Remember, use the piles for clues. There is no way that the word “l-a-m-b” can have a silent “e”. Which letter could be silent in “l-a-m-b”? Call on students. That’s right, “b” can be silent. If you are really having trouble on the second time around, you can ask your group mates for help.
  7. Continue until all of the cards are sorted correctly.
  8. Does anyone have any questions? Answer questions, clarifying the activity.
  9. Walk around and observe as students work. For students who struggle, offer help and make a note in an Activity Log.


Related activities