The research has shown, phonological awareness is critical for learning to READ any alphabetic writing system (Ehri, 2004; Rath, 2001; Troia, 2004). This weekly class is all about phonological awareness with a special focus on the late eight sounds: (sh, s, th (voiced), th (unvoiced), r, z, l, zh (as in "measure)). The Late 8 Speech Sounds typically emerge between ages 5-7 1/2. Exposing children to emerging sounds in games and play and providing models can help their speech sound development! In my classes, I take time to interact with each student. I have a mouth puppet, Mr. Mouth, that will help show us how to make each sound and I also incorporate some of my homemade puppets. Depending on the class, we may play memory games, make sentences, create stories, listen to some of my silly original songs, play games and other fun activities to help practice making these sounds and phonological awareness. No experience is required. This class is not intended to be or replace speech therapy. This class is meant to provide some exposure and practice opportunities for students who want to build awareness of these sounds.

Class will generally look like this:
- Welcome to class and check in
- Easy breathing exercise (with breathing ball or visualization) to fuel our brains with oxygen and a brief review of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system
- Riddle or ice breaker question related to the theme of the week
- Instruction for sound awareness activities (see below)
- Practice with sound awareness activities 
- Close with a game or sharing circle 

During this ongoing weekly class, we will work on phonological (sound) awareness activities, like:
-count how many words are in a sentence
-how many syllables are in a word
-how many sounds are in a word
-identify where sounds are in the word (ex. /th/ is at the end of the word bath).
-play with sounds in words (like what would happen if you took the "s" sound away in the word sat?
-rhyming words
-blending words (ex. "sh" "e" "ll" makes the word "bat)
-sound-related activities, like thinking of words that start with the /l/ or /ch/ sound
-make up silly sentences with words that begin with the same sound, such as “Lions like large lemons." 
- look at pictures or stories from books to find sounds in words 

***Please message me in advance if you have any particular sounds you would like me to focus on with your child during class. 

Here is a schedule of what we may have a special focus on each week (please message me before class if you would like me to focus on a particular sound or skill for your child.)

Week of: 
October 5: Counting words in sentences 
October 12: Counting sounds in words 
October 19: Memory games
October 26: Rhyming words