Shapes Or Colors Games

Shapes or Colors Games Put shapes (use shapes from math standards) or mats of different colors on the floor. Say a simple sentence. Repeat it slowly and have students step on a different shape or color for each word you say. Start with sentences tha use all single-syllable words. Then use names of students that have more than one syllable. Gradually, add more multi-syllable words. Remind students to move for each word, not each syllable.

Word Counters Use blocks, color counters, pennies, or other counters. As you say a sentence, have students move a counter for each word you say.

Word Segmenting Place Mats Give each student a segmentation place mat (see below) and four counters (e.g., small blocks, pennies). Have them place their counters on the drawing of the train. Each counter represents one word. Say a sentence (up to four words in length) to students, and model how to move the counters from the train into the boxes as each word is said. One counter should be moved for each word in the sentence. Then students repeat the activity individually as the teacher says additional sentences. Think of using sentences that would support other content areas-sentences about science or social studies, sentences from your favorite book you are reading, etc. Just remember to limit the number of words in the sentence.

Note: The segmenting place mat can be used for a variety of tracking and segmenting activities (i.e., word, syllable, and sound segmenting). Print each place mat on a different colored paper for each segmenting level (e.g., word=white, syllable=yellow, sound=green). It can also be laminated for durability. A sentence or keyword used as an example can be put at the top of the place mat to help students understand what aspect of the word they are to listen for. To start, all counters are placed on the train. As some students have difficulty knowing where to start in terms of left-to-right tracking, a green dot can be placed beside the left-hand box to mark the place to begin.