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Super S Sound Sleuth

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barana

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Super S Sound Sleuth Lesson Plan

Students will identify, produce, and accurately pronounce the /s/ sound in words and sentences through guided and independent tasks, building clear speech and phonemic awareness.

Mastering the /s/ sound boosts phonemic awareness, reading fluency, and clear speech in 2nd-grade learners, laying a foundation for confident oral reading and spelling.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on phonemic activities to identify and produce /s/.

Materials

  • Sound Sleuth Cards, - Super S Practice Sheet, - Mirror, - Dry-Erase Board and Marker, and - Timer

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Lay out Sound Sleuth Cards.
  • Print and review the Super S Practice Sheet.
  • Ensure the mirror, dry-erase board, and timer are ready.
  • Familiarize yourself with example /s/ words and correct mouth placement.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Show several Sound Sleuth Cards containing /s/ and non-/s/ sounds.
  • Discuss how the tongue placement feels for /s/ using the mirror.
  • Model the /s/ sound in isolation and in a sample word.

Step 2

Guided Practice

10 minutes

  • Student repeats /s/ words from the Sound Sleuth Cards after you.
  • Provide immediate corrective feedback and encourage self-monitoring with the mirror.
  • Sort cards into “Yes S” and “No S” piles together.

Step 3

Independent Application

10 minutes

  • Hand the student the Super S Practice Sheet.
  • Student reads sentences aloud, circles each word with /s/, then writes a new /s/ sentence.
  • Use the timer for a 5-minute fluency challenge.

Step 4

Conclusion

5 minutes

  • Review the circled /s/ words and new sentences together.
  • Have the student read one strong /s/ sentence aloud.
  • Provide positive reinforcement and note progress for next steps.
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Slide Deck

Super S Sound Sleuth

Tier 3 Individual Session • 2nd Grade • 30 Minutes

Let’s become detectives of the /s/ sound!

Welcome the student. Introduce yourself as their Super S Sound Sleuth coach. Explain that today’s mission is to master the /s/ sound in words and sentences.

Learning Objective

Students will identify, produce, and accurately pronounce the /s/ sound in words and sentences.

Read the objective aloud. Emphasize why clear /s/ pronunciation matters for reading and speaking.

How to Make the /s/ Sound

• Place the tongue just behind the upper front teeth
• Leave a narrow groove down the middle of the tongue
• Push air out steadily over the tongue
• Use the mirror to check placement

Show the mirror. Model the correct tongue placement: behind your top teeth, with a narrow groove. Invite the student to watch themselves.

Introduction Activity

Sound Sleuth Cards

• Look at each card
• Say the word aloud
• Decide: “Yes S” or “No S”

Shuffle the Sound Sleuth Cards. Show one at a time. Ask: “Does this word have the /s/ sound?” Encourage the student to say it.

Guided Practice

• Repeat /s/ words from the cards
• Self‐monitor using the mirror
• Sort cards: “Yes S” vs. “No S”

Guide the student through repeating each /s/ word. Give immediate feedback (“Great tongue groove!”). After repetition, sort into “Yes S” and “No S” piles.

Independent Application

Super S Practice Sheet

  1. Read each sentence aloud
  2. Circle every /s/ word
  3. Write your own sentence with an /s/ word

Hand out the Super S Practice Sheet. Read the instructions together before the student begins.

5-Minute Fluency Challenge

• Start the timer
• Read your circled words/sentences aloud
• Aim for clear, steady /s/ sounds
• Track how many you read correctly

Explain the fluency challenge. Set the timer for 5 minutes. Cheer them on as they read quickly and accurately.

Review & Reflect

• Look at circled /s/ words
• Share your strongest /s/ sentence aloud
• Celebrate progress with a high five!

Review the sheet with the student. Praise their best work. Ask them to choose and read aloud their favorite /s/ sentence.

Next Steps

• Practice daily with favorite books
• Use a mirror to self-check sounds
• Keep sorting /s/ vs. non-/s/ words

Discuss ways to keep practicing: reading books, playing /s/ word games, and using the mirror at home.

Congratulations, Super Sleuth!

You’ve cracked the case on the /s/ sound. Keep shining and sounding super clear!

Congratulate the student. Encourage them to continue sleuthing the /s/ sound everywhere they go!

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Worksheet

Super S Practice Sheet

Instructions:

  1. Read each sentence aloud.
    2. Circle every /s/ word.
    3. Write your own sentence with an /s/ word at the end.

  1. Sally saw six snakes slithering in the grass.


  2. The sun shines softly on the sand.


  3. Sam slices the sandwich carefully.


  4. The class sits silently during story time.


  5. Stacy sings a sweet song.


Your Turn: Write a sentence using a word that has the /s/ sound.






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Activity

Sound Sleuth Card Sort

Activity Overview:
Use these cards to practice hearing and identifying the /s/ sound. Sort each card into a “Yes S” pile (words that contain the /s/ sound) or a “No S” pile (words that do not).

Materials:

  • Sound Sleuth Card Sort
  • Mirror (optional for articulation check)

Instructions for Teacher:

  1. Shuffle the deck of cards and place them face down.
  2. Show one card at a time. Ask the student to say the word aloud and listen for the /s/ sound.
  3. Have the student place the card in the correct pile: “Yes S” or “No S.”
  4. Provide immediate feedback, model the correct /s/ if needed, and encourage self‐monitoring in the mirror.
  5. Continue until all cards are sorted. Review any errors together.

Cards Included:

  1. snake (picture: a green snake slithering) – hasS
  2. sock (picture: a striped sock) – hasS
  3. slice (picture: a slice of pizza) – hasS
  4. sun (picture: a bright yellow sun) – hasS
  5. bus (picture: a school bus) – hasS
  6. apple (picture: a red apple) – noS
  7. dog (picture: a brown dog) – noS
  8. kite (picture: a colorful kite flying) – noS
  9. bat (picture: a baseball bat) – noS
  10. chair (picture: a wooden chair) – noS

Extend the Activity:

  • After sorting, pick three “Yes S” cards and have the student build an /s/ sentence using those words.
  • Play a timed version: how many correct sorts in 2 minutes?
  • For extra support, let the student watch themselves in a mirror and check tongue placement while saying each word.
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