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Sound Safari

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Lesson Plan

Sound Safari Lesson Plan

In this 30-minute one-on-one session, students will practice producing target phonemes (e.g., /s/, /r/, /l/) through multisensory activities like card naming, tactile tracing, and game-based tasks, aiming for accurate articulation in initial, medial, and final word positions.

Targeted practice of specific speech sounds helps kindergarteners overcome articulation errors early, boosting clarity, confidence, and readiness for classroom participation and reading readiness.

Audience

Kindergarten

Time

30 minutes (one-on-one)

Approach

Structured multisensory play integrates modeling, repetition, and positive reinforcement.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Safari Station

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Sound Exploration

5 minutes

  • Show the student the handheld mirror and demonstrate how to observe mouth movements when producing the target sound
  • Model the target phoneme slowly (e.g., /s/) and have the student echo 5 times
  • Use a card from Sound Safari Picture Cards featuring a word with the target sound to reinforce association

Step 2

Articulation Safari

10 minutes

  • Present 6–8 cards from Sound Safari Picture Cards one at a time
  • Ask the student to name each picture, focusing on clear production of the target phoneme in initial, medial, or final position using Phoneme Practice Paddles to indicate position
  • Provide gentle tactile cues at the point of articulation and positive feedback for each correct attempt

Step 3

Tactile Tracing

5 minutes

  • Select the letter tile matching the target phoneme from Tactile Letter Tiles
  • Have the student trace the shape of the letter with their finger while saying the sound slowly 5 times
  • Encourage noticing tongue placement and airflow using the handheld mirror

Step 4

Beanbag Target Toss

5 minutes

  • Spread 5–7 picture cards face-up on the table
  • The student tosses a beanbag token onto a card and names the picture, producing the target phoneme correctly
  • If accurate, the student keeps the card; if not, coach with a quick model and retry; play until all beanbags are used

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Reward

5 minutes

  • Review 3–4 of the student’s best productions from the session
  • Mark a star or sticker on the Sound Safari Reward Chart for motivated practice
  • Praise the student’s effort and set a simple goal for the next session
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Slide Deck

🦁 Sound Safari

Join our 30-minute one-on-one speech therapy session for kindergarteners!
Today’s mission: practice and master target phonemes through playful, multisensory activities.

Welcome the student warmly and introduce today’s adventure. Emphasize excitement: we’re going on a Sound Safari to explore our speech sounds!

🎯 Session Objective

• Produce target phonemes (e.g., /s/, /r/, /l/) accurately in initial, medial, and final positions
• Use multisensory strategies: mirror, tactile tracing, games
• Build confidence and have fun while practicing sounds

Read the session objective aloud. Explain why clear speech helps them be confident talkers and ready for school.

🧰 Materials

• Sound Safari Picture Cards
• Phoneme Practice Paddles
• Handheld mirror
• Tactile letter tiles
• Beanbag tokens
• Timer
• Sound Safari Reward Chart

Quickly show each material as you name it. Encourage the student to touch and explore items.

1. Warm-Up & Sound Exploration (5 min)

• Demonstrate the target phoneme using the mirror
• Model and have student echo 5 times
• Show a picture card and say the word together

Use the mirror demonstration to show mouth shape. Model slowly and invite the student to copy.

2. Articulation Safari (10 min)

• Present 6–8 picture cards one at a time
• Student names each picture, focusing on target phoneme in initial, medial, or final position
• Use Phoneme Practice Paddles
• Provide gentle tactile cues and positive reinforcement

Guide the student to use paddles to indicate where the sound appears in the word. Praise every correct attempt.

3. Tactile Tracing (5 min)

• Select the matching letter tile
• Student traces the letter while saying the sound 5 times
• Observe tongue and airflow with the mirror

Encourage slow tracing and mindful observation in the mirror. Emphasize tongue placement.

4. Beanbag Target Toss (5 min)

• Spread 5–7 picture cards face-up
• Student tosses a beanbag onto a card, then names the picture with the target sound
• Accurate productions → student keeps card; errors → quick model and retry

Make this a game: celebrate each successful toss. Coach quickly if a production is off.

5. Wrap-Up & Reward (5 min)

• Review student’s top productions
• Add a sticker to the Sound Safari Reward Chart
• Praise effort and set a simple goal for next session

Highlight 3–4 best productions and mark on the reward chart. End on a high note and set a fun goal for next time.

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Activity

Sound Safari Picture Cards

These vibrant picture cards help students practice target phonemes in different word positions. Each card includes an image (for display or print), the corresponding word, the target sound, and its position in the word.

Card IDImage (print/display)WordTarget PhonemePosition
SS-S-Initial-Sun☀️ (Sun)sun/s/Initial
SS-S-Medial-Mouse🐭 (Mouse)mouse/s/Medial
SS-S-Final-Bus🚌 (Bus)bus/s/Final
SS-R-Initial-Run🏃‍♂️ (Run)run/r/Initial
SS-R-Medial-Carrot🥕 (Carrot)carrot/r/Medial
SS-R-Final-Car🚗 (Car)car/r/Final
SS-L-Initial-Leaf🍃 (Leaf)leaf/l/Initial
SS-L-Medial-Apple🍎 (Apple)apple/l/Medial
SS-L-Final-Ball⚽ (Ball)ball/l/Final
SS-S-Initial-Soup🍲 (Soup)soup/s/Initial
SS-S-Medial-Island🏝️ (Island)island/s/Medial
SS-S-Final-Dress👗 (Dress)dress/s/Final
SS-R-Initial-Rain🌧️ (Rain)rain/r/Initial
SS-R-Medial-Party🎉 (Party)party/r/Medial
SS-R-Final-Carp🐟 (Carp)carp/r/Final
SS-L-Initial-Lion🦁 (Lion)lion/l/Initial
SS-L-Medial-Willow🌳 (Willow)willow/l/Medial
SS-L-Final-Pencil✏️ (Pencil)pencil/l/Final

Usage:

  • Print and laminate each card or display digitally.
  • Refer to cards during the Articulation Safari and Beanbag Target Toss activities.
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Activity

Phoneme Practice Paddles

These sturdy, student-friendly paddles help children indicate where they hear or produce the target sound in a word: initial, medial, or final position. Mount each on a craft stick for easy handling.

Materials Preparation

  • Create three paddles (per target phoneme) on cardstock or laminate:
    1. Initial – use a bright color and label “Initial” 🔆
    2. Medial – contrasting color labeled “Medial” 🌟
    3. Final – another color labeled “Final” 🏁
  • Attach each to a craft stick or paddle handle for durability.

How to Use

  1. During activities like Articulation Safari or Beanbag Target Toss, say a word aloud (e.g., “bus”).
  2. Ask the student: “Where is the /s/ sound?” Student holds up the paddle showing Initial, Medial, or Final.
  3. Provide immediate feedback: praise correct responses (“Great job finding the /s/ at the end!”) or model and retry for errors (“Listen: b-us. That’s at the end—Final paddle.”).

Extension Ideas

  • After naming a picture card, have the student show the paddle before speaking to self-monitor.
  • Use paddles in pairs: one student names and the other shows position, then switch roles.
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Activity

Sound Safari Reward Chart

Track your progress on your Sound Safari journey! Earn a sticker or star for each session you practice your target sounds accurately.

Session 1Session 2Session 3Session 4Session 5
☐☐☐☐☐
Session 6Session 7Session 8Session 9Session 10
☐☐☐☐☐

How to use:

  • After each 30-minute session, review the student’s productions.
  • If the student produced the target phoneme accurately at least 80% of the time, place a sticker or draw a star in the corresponding box.
  • Celebrate each achievement and comment on progress (“Great job on Session 3—your /s/ at the end of “bus” was crystal clear!”).
  • When all 10 boxes are filled, reward the student with a “Grand Safari” certificate or special activity!

Happy exploring and keep roaring with clear sounds!

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Sound Safari • Lenny Learning