Phonics & Word Study » Sounds Sensible

Sounds Sensible
by Sheila Clark-Edmands
Grades PK–1

Sounds Sensible is the first level of S.P.I.R.E., a highly successful, systematic, multisensory reading and language arts program that is research-based and time-tested. It works well as the first level of any core program or as supportive/supplementary instruction for beginning readers in Grades Pre-K–1. Its Orton-Gillingham philosophy also makes Sounds Sensible uniquely effective as part of an intervention, a remedial, or an inclusion reading program.

The program includes:

• A Teacher’s Manual to provide detailed instructions and scripts for addressing five skill areas:
  • listening
  • rhyming
  • segmenting
  • learning phoneme/grapheme relationships
  • dictation
• Key Word Concept Sheets to introduce each letter, its key word, and its sound
• Picture and letter cards illustrating beginning sounds, matching rhymes, and more
• Games and activities to provide review in an entertaining way

Types of Activities:

1. listening
2. rhyming
3. segmenting
4. understanding phoneme/grapheme relationships
5. taking dictation

Direct instruction and activities in each of these five areas comprise the daily lesson plan.

Sounds Sensible for grades Pre-K–1 offers the following benefits:

• Structured lessons that ensure coverage of 20 consonants and short a
• Review lessons after every new topic that cover all previous material as well as the most recent lesson
• Students’ weaknesses are identified and resolved before the child falls behind
• Lessons’ different elements keep students lively and engaged