English lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes
Beginning sounds and letters
Phonics & Sight Words
CCSS RF.K.3.ACCSS RF.K.2.DEngland: Reception PhonicsEngland: Y1 Phonics
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Beginning sounds and letters.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.
Leads to: Ending sounds; Blending CVC words
Materials: Sound cards and picture cards, Magnetic letters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which word begins with the same sound as "rat"? (house / worm / bag / rain) → rainPrompt: Say "rat" slowly. What is the first sound you hear?
- Which letter makes the first sound in "rain"? (h / v / r / w) → rPrompt: Stretch the word out like a rubber band.
- Which word begins with the same sound as "zoo"? (box / dig / zip / jet) → zipPrompt: Say "zoo" slowly. What is the first sound you hear?
Hook · 3 min
- Hide picture cards in a bag and ask children to say the first sound of each one they pull out.
- Share the objective: Beginning sounds and letters. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which word begins with the same sound as "zoo"?
- Step 1: "zoo" starts with /z/.
- Step 2: Only one word also starts with /z/.
- Step 3: So the answer is: zip
- Answer: zip
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Which word begins with the same sound as "vet"? (gate / van / sock / hand) → vanPrompt: Say "vet" slowly. What is the first sound you hear?
- Which letter makes the first sound in "bag"? (b / v / f / y) → bPrompt: Stretch the word out like a rubber band.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which letter makes the first sound in "window"? (h / b / w / r) → wPrompt: Stretch the word out like a rubber band.
- Which word begins with the same sound as "ball"? (bear / goat / nail / juice) → bearPrompt: Say "ball" slowly. What is the first sound you hear?
Watch out for
- Adding an extra "uh" to sounds ("buh" instead of a clean b).
- Reading the letters one by one but not blending them into a word.
Support and stretch
Support
- Use concrete materials: sound cards and picture cards.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Ending sounds; Blending CVC words.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/kindergarten.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder