Hearing Final sounds

In this section we will be listening for the final sounds in a word.

You will need:

To Print:

To Find:

  • Manipulatives
  • 1 Dice
  • 2 Counters
  • Crayons or coloured pencils in 2 colours.

Introduction

Demonstration/ Discovery

Now it is your child’s turn.

  • Helper – Print off the final sound discovery sheet. Ask your child to name one of the pictures. 
  • Child – Names one picture.
  • Helper – Asks what the last sound is in that word. 
  • Child – States the final sound in the word. 
  • Helper – Asks the child to pick a colour and circle that word. Now name a different picture. If the word ends in the same sound, circle it with the same colour. If it ends with a different sound, name the sound and use the other colour. All the words end with one of two sounds. 

Helper – If the child is incorrect, repeat the word. You can accent the final sound a bit, but if your child is not sure, or is guessing try this technique. 

  • Put three counters down on the table and tell the child that there are three sounds in the word. Say the word eg. Mop. Now point at the first sound and say /m/. Point at the second sound and say /o/ and point at the last sound and say nothing. See if your child can now separate the last sound. 
  • If s/he still can’t hear it. Say each sound, as you point at each counter, and see if your child can now hear it. Don’t worry, sometimes it takes a bit of practice before the brain tunes into the sounds.

Help for Helpers:

Some consonants are called continuants, these sounds blend easily into the next sound. You can tell them because you can hold the sound. Say mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. These sounds can be harder to hear than the ‘plosives and the stops’ (other types of consonants). These sounds have a definite finish and are hard to blend into the next sound. Try holding the sound /t/ or /p/. If your child is struggling to hear final sounds, s/he may find words that end with stop letters are easier to discern.

Discovery sheet words: mop/map, hat/mat,  lip/log, car/cake, bee/pea, pin/ mouse

Guided Practice

  • Helper– Print the board game.
  • Child/ Helper- Take turns playing the ladybug game. Listen to three words, name the odd one out and say what the last sound of that word is. Roll the dice, and follow the instructions.

For extra practice, there are lots of examples on the word sheet from easy to harder. Find the level that your child needs to work at. You can replay this game as extra practice until your child is comfortably hearing final sounds.

Solidification / Recording

Add to the PA Graphic Organiser.

Match the pictures with the same last sound. (Words: hat, popcorn, dog, harp, pin, drill)

Not a Virtual Learning Member yet?

If you’re here wondering what this section is all about and would like to see a sample of what we do, welcome!
Here are some sample phonological awareness lessons. Sample 1 | Sample 2.

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