Letter Sounds Lesson Plans: Preschool Beginning Sounds

ByTeaching Resources Desk Kindergarten
Learning sounds with Nate and friends

This free early literacy lesson helps young learners hear and identify beginning sounds in words. Preschool or Kindergarten students practice with names, objects, pictures, and speaking activities while building confidence with letters and sounds.

Grade Band: Early Primary (K–1)
Subject Area: English Language Arts

Overview

Students develop phonological awareness by listening closely to the first sound they hear in a word. They connect spoken sounds to letters, compare similar sounds, and group words that begin alike. Over several days the class creates a shared sound book and practices explaining their choices aloud.

Subject Connections

English Language Arts is the primary focus as students connect spoken sounds to letters and words. Speaking and listening skills are strengthened through discussion and explanation. Early writing develops through labeling drawings and invented spelling, while fine motor practice appears in cutting, drawing, and assembling the class book.

Learning Goals

  • Recognize that letters represent sounds
  • Identify the beginning sound in familiar words
  • Match objects and pictures to initial sounds
  • Sort words by sound
  • Speak clearly about sound similarities

Materials

  • Name cards for each student
  • Small classroom objects or toy items
  • Picture cards
  • Chart paper
  • Crayons and pencils
  • Glue sticks and scissors
  • Construction paper
  • Stapler or binder rings

Preparation

  • Prepare name cards with large clear letters
  • Gather classroom objects that begin with different sounds
  • Prepare blank pages for a class book
  • Create a display space for sorting and grouping items

Teaching Procedure

Each session fits a standard class period of 30–40 minutes. The class sound book is completed across five sessions.

Session 1 – Hearing the First Sound

  1. The teacher shows each student their name card and slowly says the name, emphasizing the first sound. Students repeat the sound together.
  2. Activity: Students stand when they hear their beginning sound and say a word with the same sound.
  3. The teacher circles first letters in student names and the class says each sound aloud.
  4. Students draw a picture beginning with the same sound as their name.

Session 2 – Matching Objects to Sounds

  1. Students listen to object names and identify the first sound.
  2. Activity: Students select an object matching their beginning sound and explain the match.
  3. The class groups objects by sound.
  4. Students explain why one object does not belong in a group.

Session 3 – Sorting Picture Sounds

  1. The class reviews beginning sounds.
  2. Activity: Students sort picture cards under labeled sound groups and explain their choices.
  3. The teacher models pronunciation as needed.
  4. Students draw one correct match in their notebook.

Session 4 – Creating the Class Sound Book

  1. Students receive a blank page with their name.
  2. Activity: Students draw and label two pictures beginning with their name’s sound and read their page aloud.
  3. The teacher assembles the class book.
  4. The class reads the book together, repeating each sound.

Session 5 – Sound Review and Application

  1. Students predict beginning sounds before hearing words.
  2. Activity: Students match pictures to classmates with the same beginning sound.
  3. Students reread the class book in small groups.
  4. Students answer “What sound do you hear first?” for spoken words.

Assessment

Students demonstrate learning by correctly identifying beginning sounds, matching objects to sounds, and explaining their reasoning verbally. The class book page and participation in sorting activities provide evidence of understanding.

Differentiation

  • Provide fewer sorting choices for support
  • Model sounds using clear mouth movements
  • Allow verbal responses instead of drawing
  • Challenge advanced students to identify ending sounds

Grade Adaptation

This lesson is best suited to preschool learners who are beginning to notice that words start with different sounds. Kindergarten students can complete the activities with light teacher guidance and may add simple letter writing.

Extension Ideas

  • Send the class sound book home for practice
  • Play a daily sound guessing game
  • Search the classroom for objects matching a chosen sound
  • Introduce rhyming activities after sound recognition improves

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