Lesson Plan
Speech Sound Safari Lesson Plan
Student will accurately produce the /s/, /ʃ/ (sh), /tʃ/ (ch), and /dʒ/ (j) sounds in isolation, syllables, words, and sentences with at least 80% accuracy during guided practice.
Accurate articulation of these sounds boosts intelligibility, reading fluency, and confidence in academic and social settings. Targeted practice prevents compensatory errors and builds self-monitoring skills.
Audience
5th Grade (Individual)
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Engaging multisensory, game-based practice
Materials
Mirror, - Tongue Depressor, - Tokens/Reward Chart, - Sound Safari Word List, - Articulation Bingo Cards, and - Mirror Self-Monitoring Sheet
Prep
Review and Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print and familiarize yourself with the Sound Safari Word List
- Shuffle and organize the Articulation Bingo Cards
- Place a mirror and tongue depressor within reach
- Set up the tokens/reward chart for quick reinforcement
Step 1
Warm-Up and Auditory Discrimination
5 minutes
- Begin with deep-breathing and jaw-relaxation stretches
- Model each target sound (/s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /dʒ/) in isolation
- Conduct a quick minimal-pair listening task: say two words and have the student identify which sound differs (e.g., sip vs. ship)
Step 2
Isolation and Shape Placement Practice
10 minutes
- Use mirror and tongue depressor to show tongue placement for /s/: tongue tip behind front teeth; airflow
- Repeat for /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /dʒ/, focusing on tongue shape and lip rounding
- Provide tactile cues as needed (guide jaw/tongue gently)
- Offer immediate feedback and token for correct productions
Step 3
Syllable and Word-Level Drills
10 minutes
- Introduce the Sound Safari Word List
- Practice each sound in initial, medial, and final syllables (e.g., 'si', 'as', 'sha', 'push', 'cha', 'watch', 'ju', 'edge')
- Move into single-word repetitions: student names picture cards from the list
- Reinforce accuracy with tokens and specific feedback
Step 4
Sentence-Level Practice with Articulation Bingo
10 minutes
- Give the student a bingo card from Articulation Bingo Cards
- Say sentences containing target sounds; student repeats and marks the word if present
- Encourage full-sentence production (e.g., 'The shark swims swiftly.')
- Continue until bingo or time expires, rewarding correct productions
Step 5
Generalization and Self-Monitoring
7 minutes
- Introduce the Mirror Self-Monitoring Sheet
- Student practices target words/sentences while checking their articulators in the mirror
- Student marks self-corrections on the sheet
- Discuss strategies for monitoring during classroom speaking
Step 6
Reinforcement and Feedback
3 minutes
- Review progress: count total tokens earned
- Provide positive feedback on improvements and effort
- Set a simple home practice goal (e.g., practice 5 words using mirror each day)
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Speech Sound Safari
• Target sounds: /s/, /ʃ/ (sh), /tʃ/ (ch), /dʒ/ (j)
• 45-minute one-on-one session
• Goal: 80% accuracy in isolation → sentences
• Tools: mirror, tongue depressor, tokens, word list, bingo, self-monitoring
Welcome the student and introduce the “Speech Sound Safari” theme. Explain that today she’ll be exploring the /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, and /dʒ/ sounds in a fun, safari-style adventure. Point out any visuals (e.g., jungle border, safari icons).
Script: “Welcome, safari explorer! Today we’re on a mission to find and practice some special sounds in our speech jungle. Let’s get started!”
Warm-Up & Auditory Discrimination
• Deep-breathing & jaw stretches
• Model /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /dʒ/ in isolation
• Minimal-pairs listening task:
– sip vs. ship
– chew vs. shoe
– chip vs. zip
Guide through breathing and jaw-relax stretches. Model each target sound clearly. Use the minimal-pair listening game to illustrate how small changes make different words.
Script: “Let’s take a deep breath and relax our jaw. Now listen: sip… ship. Which one is /s/, and which one is /ʃ/?”
Isolation & Placement Practice
• Use mirror & tongue depressor
• /s/: tongue tip behind teeth, narrow groove, airflow
• /ʃ/: tongue arch, lip rounding, slower airflow
• /tʃ/ & /dʒ/: stop + fricative sequence
• Immediate feedback & token reward
Show tongue placement in the mirror. Use gently guided tactile cues with tongue depressor. Offer token for each correct attempt.
Script: “Look in the mirror—tip of tongue just behind your front teeth for /s/. Feel the airflow? Great! Now let’s try /ʃ/: arch your tongue and round your lips.”
Syllable & Word Drills
• Introduce Sound Safari Word List
• Initial/medial/final practice:
– si, as
– sha, push
– cha, watch
– ju, edge
• Picture-card naming
• Token for each accurate production
Pull out the Sound Safari Word List. Practice each sound in varying syllable positions, then move to naming picture cards.
Script: “Let’s look at our Sound Safari Word List. Repeat after me: ‘si’, ‘as’, ‘sha’, ‘push’, ‘cha’, ‘watch’, ‘ju’, ‘edge’.”
Sentence Practice: Articulation Bingo
• Give Articulation Bingo Cards
• Read sentences with target sounds
• Student repeats & marks word if on card
• Examples:
– “The shark swims swiftly.”
– “Jim’s chocolate is chewy.”
• Continue until BINGO or time
Hand the student an Articulation Bingo Cards sheet. Read sentences and have her repeat and mark any target words. Encourage full sentences.
Script: “Here’s your bingo card. I’ll say, ‘The shark swims swiftly.’ If you hear ‘shark’ or ‘swims’, mark it!”
Generalization & Self-Monitoring
• Introduce Mirror Self-Monitoring Sheet
• Practice target words/sentences in mirror
• Mark self-corrections on sheet
• Discuss strategies: slowing down, checking placement
Introduce the Mirror Self-Monitoring Sheet. Model how to check placement and mark corrections. Encourage her to use these strategies in class.
Script: “After you say each word or sentence, check in the mirror. Did your tongue do the right shape? If not, circle and try again.”
Reinforcement & Home Practice
• Review total tokens earned
• Provide positive feedback on progress
• Home practice goal:
– 5 words/day
– Use mirror self-monitoring
Count up tokens together and celebrate successes. Provide specific praise (“Your /ʃ/ was so clear!”). Set a home practice goal: 5 words per day using mirror technique.
Script: “You earned 12 tokens today—fantastic! For home, pick five words from our list and practice in the mirror each day.”
Great Job, Explorer!
• Celebrate today’s progress 🎉
• Preview next steps:
– Continue practicing sound safari words
– Monitor in the classroom
• Questions?
Offer a closing cheer and preview what’s next in the journey. Encourage questions.
Script: “Great work, Safari Explorer! Next time we’ll track our progress and add new words. Any questions before we end?”
Worksheet
Sound Safari Word List
Practice pronouncing each word. Focus on correct tongue placement, airflow, and clarity.
/s/ Sound
Initial Position
sip
sun
snake
Medial Position
music
basic
listen
Final Position
bus
miss
dress
/ʃ/ (sh) Sound
Initial Position
ship
sheep
shoe
Medial Position
ocean
fashion
mission
Final Position
push
fish
cash
/tʃ/ (ch) Sound
Initial Position
chair
cheese
chin
Medial Position
kitchen
watching
teacher
Final Position
watch
peach
beach
/dʒ/ (j) Sound
Initial Position
jump
jelly
juice
Medial Position
magic
jacket
engine
Final Position
page
badge
edge
Activity
Articulation Bingo Cards
Use these bingo cards to reinforce /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, and /dʒ/ practice.
Print one card per session. As you read each sentence, the student listens for target words and marks them on her card. The center square is FREE. The first to get five in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) calls “BINGO!” and earns extra tokens.
Articulation Bingo Card 1
| B | I | N | G | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sip | sheep | FREE | peach | juice |
| ocean | basic | mission | watch | edge |
| jelly | dress | jacket | cash | sun |
| magic | miss | music | push | chair |
| engine | snake | listen | beach | badge |
Articulation Bingo Card 2
| B | I | N | G | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus | kitchen | FREE | cash | peach |
| jelly | miss | ocean | snake | page |
| sip | fashion | juice | push | watch |
| ship | music | dress | teacher | badge |
| basic | sheep | jacket | fish | edge |
Articulation Bingo Card 3
| B | I | N | G | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sun | cheese | FREE | beach | magic |
| engine | mission | sip | miss | juice |
| chair | ocean | dress | cash | watch |
| sheep | music | peach | jacket | edge |
| snake | ship | push | page | basic |
Articulation Bingo Card 4
| B | I | N | G | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus | kitchen | FREE | badge | sun |
| jelly | push | engine | watch | miss |
| sip | fashion | chair | cash | peach |
| sheep | music | mission | teacher | edge |
| snake | ocean | basic | juice | ship |
Worksheet
Mirror Self-Monitoring Sheet
Use this sheet to check your /s/, /ʃ/ (sh), /tʃ/ (ch), and /dʒ/ (j) sounds. After you say each word or sentence, look in the mirror, and record how you did.
Instructions
- Say the word or sentence aloud while watching your tongue and lips in the mirror.
- Circle Yes or No for correct placement and airflow.
- If you circled No, try again and note what you changed.
- Repeat for each item.
Practice Items
- Word/Sentence: ___________________________________
Target Sound: _______
Mirror Check (Correct?): Yes / No
If No, what did I adjust?_________________________ - Word/Sentence: ___________________________________
Target Sound: _______
Mirror Check (Correct?): Yes / No
If No, what did I adjust?_________________________ - Word/Sentence: ___________________________________
Target Sound: _______
Mirror Check (Correct?): Yes / No
If No, what did I adjust?_________________________ - Word/Sentence: ___________________________________
Target Sound: _______
Mirror Check (Correct?): Yes / No
If No, what did I adjust?_________________________ - Word/Sentence: ___________________________________
Target Sound: _______
Mirror Check (Correct?): Yes / No
If No, what did I adjust?_________________________ - Word/Sentence: ___________________________________
Target Sound: _______
Mirror Check (Correct?): Yes / No
If No, what did I adjust?_________________________
Reflection & Next Steps
What strategy helped me the most today?
__________________________________________________________
My home practice goal (choose 5 words to practice in the mirror each day):
__________________________________________________________
Warm Up
Breathing & Jaw Relax Stretches
Use this quick warm-up to relax the articulators and get ready for sound practice.
Steps:
- Seated Posture Check
• Sit upright with feet flat.
• Shoulders relaxed, hands resting on lap. - Deep Breathing (×3)
• Inhale slowly through the nose for a count of 4.
• Exhale gently through the mouth for a count of 6.
• Focus on steady airflow and relaxed shoulders. - Jaw Release Stretch (×5)
• Open your mouth wide in an “ah”–shape.
• Gently move your jaw from side to side.
• Drop and lift your jaw slowly—feel the stretch along your cheeks and jawline. - Tongue & Lip Loosening
• Stick out your tongue and wiggle it side to side (×5).
• Purse your lips as if saying “ooo,” then stretch them wide into a big smile (×5). - Final Deep Breath
• Take one more deep inhale through the nose (4 counts), exhale through the mouth (6 counts).
• Shake out any tension from shoulders and jaw.
You’re now ready to begin our Speech Sound Safari!
Cool Down
Safari Reflection
Great job on today’s Speech Sound Safari! Let’s reflect on what you learned and plan your next steps.
1. Rate Your Sound Safari Skills
On a scale from 1 (Very Easy) to 5 (Very Challenging), circle how each sound felt for you today:
• /s/: 1 2 3 4 5
• /ʃ/ (sh): 1 2 3 4 5
• /tʃ/ (ch): 1 2 3 4 5
• /dʒ/ (j): 1 2 3 4 5
2. Favorite Safari Find
What was your favorite word or activity from today’s session? Why?
3. Biggest Challenge
Which sound or activity did you find most challenging? How can we make it easier next time?
4. Next Steps
Choose one goal for your next practice:
- Practice _____ words with the mirror each day
- Use a token chart at home for _____ correct productions
- Listen for your target sounds in your favorite story or show
My goal: __________________________________________
5. Questions or Comments
Do you have any questions or anything you’d like to share before we end today?