Beginning Sounds
The Spark
Concept
A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a word. The first phoneme (beginning sound) of 'cat' is /k/. Isolating beginning sounds helps children link letters to the sounds they represent — the core of phonics.
Activity
Play I-Spy using beginning sounds: I spy something beginning with /s/... (sun, sock, seat). This warms up phonological awareness before written work.
Check
Ask your child: What sound does this word start with? using familiar objects around the home. Can they isolate the first sound independently?
What Sound Does It Start With? (Set A)
Listen to each word. Circle the sound it starts with.
sun
mat
bat
Same Beginning Sound? (Set A)
Circle YES if the two words start with the same sound. Circle NO if they do not.
sun — sock
cat — dog
man — mop
Sort by Beginning Sound: /s/ and /m/
Listen to each word. Write it in the column that matches its beginning sound.
Match the Sound to the Word (Set A)
Draw a line from each beginning sound to a word that starts with it.
What Sound Does It Start With? (Set B)
Circle the sound each word starts with.
dog
pen
top
Sort by Beginning Sound: /b/ and /t/
Listen to each word. Write it in the correct column.
Same Beginning Sound? (Set B)
Circle YES if the two words start with the same sound.
bed — bus
top — tin
sun — bat
Match the Sound to the Word (Set B)
Draw a line from each beginning sound to a word that starts with it.
Sort by Beginning Sound: /s/, /m/, /b/, /t/
Listen to each word. Write it in the column that matches its beginning sound.
Odd One Out: Different Beginning Sound (Set A)
Circle the word that starts with a DIFFERENT sound from the others.
sun, sock, mat
bat, bed, top
man, mop, pen
What Sound Does It Start With? (Set C)
Circle the sound each word starts with.
fan
hat
red
Sort by Beginning Sound: /f/ and /h/
Listen to each word. Sort it into the correct column.
Match the Sound to the Word (Set C)
Draw a line from each beginning sound to a word that starts with it.
Same Beginning Sound? (Set C)
Circle YES or NO.
fish — fan
hat — hen
red — mat
fun — fog
Tip: Say the Sound, Not the Letter Name
Remember: when we talk about beginning sounds, we say the SOUND, not the letter name. The letter S makes the sound /s/ (like a snake hissing). The letter M makes the sound /m/ (like humming). Try saying the sound for each letter below.
What sound does the letter B make? ______
What sound does the letter T make? ______
What sound does the letter F make? ______
What Sound Does It Start With? (Set D)
Circle the sound each word starts with.
cat
go
leg
Sort by Beginning Sound: /k/ (c) and /g/
Listen to each word. Sort it into the correct column.
Odd One Out (Set B)
Circle the word that starts with a DIFFERENT sound.
cat, cup, dog
go, got, hat
leg, lip, bat
Match Six Sounds to Words
Draw a line from each beginning sound to a word that starts with it.
Sound Spark: Sounds Around You
Look around the room you are in right now. Can you find something that starts with each sound? Write or draw what you find.
Something starting with /s/: _______________
Something starting with /b/: _______________
Something starting with /t/: _______________
What Sound Does It Start With? (Set E)
Circle the sound each word starts with.
net
van
wet
jug
Sort by Beginning Sound: /n/ and /l/
Listen to each word. Sort it into the correct column.
Same Beginning Sound? (Set D)
Circle YES or NO.
net — nut
van — wet
jug — jam
leg — lip
Match Sounds to Words (Set D)
Draw a line from each beginning sound to a word that starts with it.
Sort by Beginning Sound: /v/, /w/, /j/
Listen to each word. Sort it into the correct column.
Odd One Out (Set C)
Circle the word that starts with a DIFFERENT sound.
van, vet, win
jug, jam, net
wet, wig, van
What Sound Does It Start With? (Set F)
Circle the sound each word starts with.
zip
yak
kite
Sort by Beginning Sound: /z/, /y/, /k/
Listen to each word. Sort it into the correct column.
Write Words That Start With...
Write or draw a word that starts with each sound.
A word starting with /s/: _______________
A word starting with /m/: _______________
A word starting with /h/: _______________
A word starting with /d/: _______________
Tip: Stretch the Sound!
Here is a trick for hearing the beginning sound: stretch it out! Say sssssun — hear that /s/? Say mmmmoon — hear that /m/? Try stretching these words and write the beginning sound.
Stretch 'fish': the beginning sound is /____/
Stretch 'lamp': the beginning sound is /____/
Stretch 'nose': the beginning sound is /____/
Match Eight Sounds to Words
Draw a line from each beginning sound to a word that starts with it.
What Sound Does It Start With? (Set G)
Circle the sound each word starts with.
ball
moon
tent
lock
Big Sort: Six Sounds
Sort each word by its beginning sound.
Same Beginning Sound? (Set E)
Circle YES or NO.
ball — book
cat — kite
dog — pig
sun — sat
mop — nap
Draw It — Beginning Sound /b/
Draw two things that begin with the sound /b/. Write the first letter next to each drawing.
My first /b/ drawing:
My second /b/ drawing:
Odd One Out (Set D)
Circle the word that starts with a DIFFERENT sound.
fish, fan, hat
dog, dig, bus
net, nap, log
cat, cup, sun
Match Words with Same Beginning Sound
Draw a line to match words that START with the same sound.
Write Words That Start With... (Set B)
Write a word that starts with each sound.
A word starting with /f/: _______________
A word starting with /r/: _______________
A word starting with /l/: _______________
A word starting with /n/: _______________
A word starting with /g/: _______________
Pick the Word (Set A)
I am looking for a word that starts with the sound shown. Circle the correct word.
Starts with /p/:
Starts with /r/:
Starts with /w/:
Starts with /j/:
Sound Spark: Sounds in Your Name
What sound does YOUR name start with? What about the names of people in your family? Write them down!
My name starts with the sound: /____/
Other names in my family and their beginning sounds:
What Sound Does It Start With? Vowels (Set A)
Circle the sound each word starts with. These words start with vowel sounds!
apple
egg
up
Sort by Vowel Sound: /a/, /e/, /i/
Listen to the beginning sound. Sort each word into the correct column.
What Sound Does It Start With? Vowels (Set B)
Circle the sound each word starts with.
on
under
if
Draw It — Beginning Sound /a/
Draw two things that begin with the sound /a/ (like apple or ant). Write the first letter next to each drawing.
My first /a/ drawing:
My second /a/ drawing:
Tip: Consonant Sounds vs Vowel Sounds
Some sounds you can stretch (like /s/, /m/, /f/) and some are a quick puff of air (like /b/, /t/, /d/). The vowel sounds /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/ open your mouth wide. Try it!
Say 'apple'. What is the first sound? /____/
Say 'octopus'. What is the first sound? /____/
Sort: Vowel or Consonant Beginning?
Does the word start with a vowel sound or a consonant sound? Sort each word.
Pick the Word That Starts with the Same Sound
Which word starts with the SAME sound as the first word?
sun — which starts the same?
man — which starts the same?
fish — which starts the same?
dog — which starts the same?
Match Words by Beginning Sound (Set B)
Draw a line to match words that start with the same sound.
Write Three Words for Each Sound
Write three words that start with each beginning sound.
/s/ words: ______, ______, ______
/b/ words: ______, ______, ______
/h/ words: ______, ______, ______
What Sound Does It Start With? Mixed (Set A)
Circle the sound each word starts with. These are a mix of all the sounds you have learned!
rug
van
yell
zip
jug
Sort by Beginning Sound: /r/, /l/, /n/
Sort each word by its beginning sound.
Odd One Out (Set E)
Circle the word that starts with a DIFFERENT sound.
red, run, leg
apple, ant, sun
van, vet, jug
wet, win, yak
Draw It — Pick a Sound
Choose a beginning sound you like. Draw THREE things that start with that sound.
My chosen sound: /____/
Drawing 1:
Drawing 2:
Drawing 3:
Same or Different Beginning Sound?
Circle SAME if the words start with the same sound, or DIFFERENT if they do not.
cat — kite
sun — zoo
bed — ball
fish — vest
leg — lamp
Match Ten Sounds to Words
Draw a line from each beginning sound to a word that starts with it.
Beginning Sound Sentences (Set A)
Write a word to complete each sentence. The missing word starts with the sound shown.
The /s/______ was hot. (a bright thing in the sky)
I put on my /h/______. (goes on your head)
The /d/______ barked. (a pet animal)
What Sound Does It Start With? Mixed (Set B)
Circle the sound each word starts with.
kite
queen
box
lamp
Sort by Beginning Sound: /d/, /p/, /g/
Sort each word by its beginning sound.
Write Words That Start With... (Set C)
Write two words that start with each sound.
/k/ words: ______, ______
/j/ words: ______, ______
/w/ words: ______, ______
/v/ words: ______, ______
Beginning Sound I-Spy
Play these beginning sound games throughout the day.
- 1Play I-Spy with beginning sounds: I spy something starting with /t/.
- 2Go on a /b/ hunt around the house — find everything that starts with /b/.
- 3Say a beginning sound and take turns adding a word that starts with it.
- 4Sing the alphabet song and pause at a letter — ask what sound that letter makes.
What Sound Does It Start With? Challenge (Set A)
These words are a bit trickier! Circle the beginning sound.
shoe
chin
think
Sort: /s/ vs /sh/ Beginning Sound
Some words start with /s/ and some start with /sh/. Listen carefully and sort them!
Same Beginning Sound? Tricky Pairs
Circle YES or NO. Listen very carefully to the beginning sounds!
ship — shop
chin — cat
think — thin
sun — ship
Draw It — Beginning Sound /sh/
Draw two things that begin with the sound /sh/ (like ship or shoe). Write the letters 'sh' next to each drawing.
My first /sh/ drawing:
My second /sh/ drawing:
What Sound Does It Start With? Challenge (Set B)
Circle the beginning sound.
chair
three
shell
truck
Match Beginning Sounds: Digraphs
Draw a line to match each sound to a word that starts with it.
Beginning Sound Sentences (Set B)
Write a word to complete each sentence. Think about the beginning sound!
I wore my /sh/______ on my feet. (you wear them)
The /ch/______ pecked at seeds. (a farm bird)
I /th/______ about my answer. (what you do with your brain)
Odd One Out (Set F)
Circle the word that starts with a DIFFERENT sound.
ship, shoe, sun
chin, chat, shed
think, thin, fish
Sort: /ch/ vs /th/ Beginning Sound
Listen to each word. Sort by beginning sound.
Write Words That Start With Each Sound (Big List)
Write as many words as you can for each beginning sound. Try for at least two!
/sh/ words: ___________________________
/ch/ words: ___________________________
/th/ words: ___________________________
Grand Sound Quiz (Set A)
Circle the beginning sound for each word.
sun
ship
chin
fish
think
Grand Sort: Eight Sounds
Sort each word by its beginning sound. There are eight columns!
Match Words by Beginning Sound (Set C)
Draw a line to match words that START with the same sound.
How Many Words Can You Write? (Set A)
You have 2 minutes! Write as many words as you can that start with each sound.
/s/ words: ___________________________
/b/ words: ___________________________
Tip: Every Sound Has a Letter (or Two!)
Most beginning sounds are written with one letter (s, m, b, t). But some sounds need TWO letters working together: sh, ch, th. These are called digraphs. Can you think of words for each?
Write a word that starts with 'sh': _______________
Write a word that starts with 'ch': _______________
Write a word that starts with 'th': _______________
Same Beginning Sound? Grand Review
Circle YES or NO.
sun — ship
chin — chat
think — top
fish — fun
shoe — shed
bat — pen
Beginning Sound Sentences (Set C)
Fill in the missing word. Think about the beginning sound given!
The /b/______ flew over the tree. (an animal with wings)
I ate a /b/______. (a yellow fruit)
The /k/______ sat on the mat. (a furry pet)
I drank from the /k/______. (you drink from it)
Sort: Consonants and Vowels Review
Does the word start with a vowel sound or a consonant sound?
Draw the Beginning Sound Collection
Pick THREE different beginning sounds. For each, draw one thing that starts with that sound.
Sound 1: /____/ Drawing:
Sound 2: /____/ Drawing:
Sound 3: /____/ Drawing:
Sound Spark: What Sound Do You Hear Most?
Listen carefully to a conversation or a story being read aloud. Which beginning sound do you hear the most? Is it /t/? /s/? Something else?
The beginning sound I heard most was: /____/
Words I heard with that sound: ___________________________
Grand Sound Quiz (Set B)
Circle the beginning sound for each word.
nest
gate
well
voice
yellow
Grand Match: 8 Sounds
Draw a line from each word to its beginning sound.
Alliteration Fun: Same Sound Sentences
Write a sentence where every word (or most words) starts with the SAME sound. Example: Sam saw six silly socks.
My /s/ sentence: ___________________________
My /b/ sentence: ___________________________
Which Word Starts Differently?
All but one word starts with the same sound. Circle the word that starts DIFFERENTLY.
sun, sock, sit, bat, sad
man, mop, hat, mat, milk
fish, fan, van, fog, fun
Write a Word for Every Letter
Write one word that starts with each letter sound. Can you complete the whole list?
/a/ ___ /b/ ___ /k/ ___ /d/ ___ /e/ ___
/f/ ___ /g/ ___ /h/ ___ /i/ ___ /j/ ___
/l/ ___ /m/ ___ /n/ ___ /o/ ___ /p/ ___
/r/ ___ /s/ ___ /t/ ___ /u/ ___ /v/ ___
/w/ ___ /y/ ___ /z/ ___
Sort by Beginning Sound: Review of All
Sort each word by its beginning sound.
Alliteration Fun (Set B)
Write more alliteration sentences! Try different beginning sounds.
My /m/ sentence: ___________________________
My /h/ sentence: ___________________________
Quick Fire: Beginning Sounds
Circle the beginning sound as fast as you can!
pig
van
jump
nut
wet
zip
Sound Detective at Home
Go on a sound hunt! Walk around your home and find ONE object for each beginning sound listed below. Write or draw what you find.
/s/ object: _______________
/b/ object: _______________
/t/ object: _______________
/l/ object: _______________
/k/ object: _______________
Tip: Hearing Sounds Is the Start of Reading!
Every time you hear a beginning sound, you are doing the FIRST step of reading. Readers look at the first letter and say its sound. Then they blend all the sounds together. You are already a sound expert!
What is the beginning sound in your favourite animal's name? _______________
What is the beginning sound in your favourite food's name? _______________
Match All Sounds: Grand Review
Match each word to its beginning sound.
Beginning Sound Riddles
Solve each riddle. The answer starts with the sound shown!
I am yellow and live in the sky. I start with /s/. I am the ______.
I bark and wag my tail. I start with /d/. I am a ______.
You wear me on your head. I start with /h/. I am a ______.
I swim in the water. I start with /f/. I am a ______.
Which Words Start the Same? (Set A)
Circle the TWO words that start with the same sound.
sun, bat, sock
fish, man, fan
dog, hat, dig
ship, chin, shoe
Write Your Own Sound Riddle
Make up a riddle! Give clues about something and tell the reader what sound it starts with. See if someone in your family can solve it!
My riddle: ___________________________
The answer starts with /____/ and it is: _______________
Grand Sort: Consonants, Vowels, and Digraphs
Sort each word: does it start with a single consonant sound, a vowel sound, or a digraph (/sh/, /ch/, /th/)?
Alliteration Story
Write a short story (3 to 4 sentences) where most of the words start with the SAME sound. Choose any sound you like!
My sound: /____/
My alliteration story:
Grand Sound Quiz (Set C)
Circle the beginning sound for each word. This is the final quiz!
tiger
shell
cherry
thumb
lamp
queen
Beginning Sound Champion Challenge
You are a Beginning Sound Champion! Try these advanced challenges.
- 1Go on a sound safari: walk around the garden or park and name the beginning sound of everything you see.
- 2Play Sound Categories: pick a sound and name as many animals/foods/objects as you can that start with it.
- 3Read a book together and stop after each page — find one word for each beginning sound you know.
- 4Make a Sound Book: draw one picture per page for different beginning sounds.
My Sound Dictionary
Create your very own sound dictionary! For each sound, write your favourite word that starts with it.
/s/: ___ /m/: ___ /b/: ___ /t/: ___ /f/: ___
/h/: ___ /d/: ___ /p/: ___ /r/: ___ /l/: ___
/n/: ___ /g/: ___ /k/: ___ /j/: ___ /w/: ___
/sh/: ___ /ch/: ___ /th/: ___
Sound Spark: Why Are Beginning Sounds Important?
Think about this big question: Why is it important to know what sound a word starts with? How does it help you when you are reading or writing?
Beginning sounds help me because:
Draw yourself being a sound detective: