Topic

Metadata

Blending and Segmenting

Summary

Objective

• Students will segment a three-sound word and blend the sounds together.

Standard

• RF.1.2.b Orally produce single-syllable words by blending sounds (phonemes), including consonant blends.

Materials

Resources

Preparation

• Prepare and connect 4 Splats to each device
• Create a list of 3-sound words for students to blend and segment
• Print Elkonin Boxes handout and give each student a half sheet, either printed in color or the black and white version to color in after printing, or students can draw on whiteboards
• Optional: pass out 3 manipulatives to each student

Review

Students should already have an understanding of phonemes and how they make up words. Prepare a list of 3-sound words, including digraphs if students have been introduced to them. The list can also include a focus sound recently learned. Explain to students that this skill helps them to sound out words when both reading and spelling.

Model how to blend a word with the Elkonin Boxes handout using your finger. Say each sound (beginning, middle, and ending) separately, tapping each corresponding box. Alternatively, you can push a manipulative into each box. For example, to segment the word chat, say “/ch/” when tapping the first box, “/a/” when tapping the second box, and “/t/” when tapping the third box. Then, slowly drag your finger under all the boxes across the arrow and blend the sounds together to say the whole word slowly, “chat.” Have students try a few words that have 3 sounds on their handout or draw Elkonin boxes on a whiteboard, such as lick, sheep, not, run.

Picture cues can be used to help students understand the given words in the list if needed. However, no letters should be written or shown, because this lesson focuses on phonemic awareness, not phonics or spelling. See Notes and Variations for playing the game with Splats with 2-sound and 4-sound words.

Splat Arrangement

How to Play Elkonin Splats

Splats set up in a horizontal row represent the beginning, middle, or ending sound in a 3-sound word. Splat 1 is green, Splat 2 is yellow, and Splat 3 is red. When pressed, the Splats lights fade, then all Splats return to their original color after 2 seconds to reset for the next word. The teacher prepares a list of words to practice. Students stomp on each Splat and segment the word, then slide their foot under all 3 Splats to blend the sounds. Add a point by jumping on Splat 4. See how many words students can blend and segment in one minute.

1. This game can be played in a whole group with 4 Splats. It can also be played in two small groups - each group gets a device connected to 3 Splats, without using Splat 4 as a point counter.
2. Arrange the 4 Splats following the instructions and display the app on the screen. Have a list of words prepared.
3. Load the game Elkonin Splats. Project the app on the screen.
4. Explain and model the game, first on the app, then with the Splats.
5. Click RUN to start the game. A countdown timer for 1 minute will start.
6. Splat 1 on the left will be green, Splat 2 in the middle will be yellow, and Splat 3 on the right will be red.
7. The teacher says a word from the list for a student to segment and blend.
8. The student repeats the word aloud, then says each sound and stomps on each Splat in order as they segment it. For example, for the word “shop,” the student would stomp on Splat 1 and say “/sh/,” Splat 2 and say “/o/,” and Splat 3 and say “/p/.”
9. When pressed, the lights on each Splat will fade, then reset.
10. Then, the student slides their foot across the three Splats while they blend the sounds together and says the whole word slowly, “shop.”
11. If the student blended and segmented correctly, they jump on Splat 4 to add a point and hear the Cheer sound.
12. Other students can follow along on their Elkonin Boxes handout while waiting their turn. Students can blend and segment as many words as possible before the timer ends.

Notes and Variations

• The number of Splats can be adjusted. For 2-sound words, use just Splats 1 and 3. For 4-sound words, add Splat 5 which is set to blue by default but could be modified to match the color to either Splat 1 or 3, depending on the location of the fourth sound.
• As an extension, students can spell the word on a whiteboard after blending or segmenting using the Splats, if they have learned the spelling patterns for the word.
• Students can play in small groups independently using picture cards as cues for the words.