• Build words by adding an initial consonant.

Activity

• On the chalkboard or experience chart paper, write the words: mat, bed, sit, dog, sun. Review words with the students.

• On cut out paper whales write the following: ed, it, og, an, en, up, um.

• On cut out paper barnacles write the following letters: b,d,r,s,g,l,t,f,c,p,m.

• Have the students make as many words as possible by placing a barnacle letter in front of the letters on a whale.

• When the students have completed their list of words, make a class list.

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Assessment Tips from Old Tom the Turtle

• Observe children as they manipulate the letters into words. Are they beginning to monitor their own word building by using cues from the initial consonants?

• Note the extent to which students are willing to revise and edit their words. Examine students words as they are working to gather /note information about their understanding of building words.

• Ask the students to say their words.