100 Beginning Sound Task Cards to Build Phonemic Awareness

This science of reading activity has big results for students.

Over 70 years of research has taught us how brains best learn to read and, now that the information is becoming more accessible to teachers, it has led to some significant shifts in reading instruction! For instance, the science of reading has proven that students need to be able to hear the individual sounds in words. Those sounds, called phonemes, are a foundational building block to developing fluent readers. Focusing on beginning sounds is the best place to start because it’s the first phoneme that students’ brains are able to identify. These 100 beginning sound task cards make it fun and easy to reinforce letter sound-connections and, at the same time, build students’ phonemic awareness.

Grab your set below and then join the priority list for our VIP teaching membership, The Science of Reading Formula, so you can unlock access to all of our teaching tools in one time-saving spot.

Thank You!

Gifts are our love language but this mega bundle of beginning sound task cards is an extra special bonus – it’s my way of saying “thank you” for helping our Instagram community grow 100,000 strong.

Every like, share, and tag has made this milestone possible and I’m forever grateful that you continue to spread the word about the science of reading so we can help EVERY child get bigger reading growth. You are helping create a more successful future for all!

Using the Beginning Sound Task Cards

In honor of our 100,000 Instagram followers, we pulled together a mega set of 100 beginning sound task cards just for you. 

Print the cards on card stock and laminate to give them extra durability. Then cut apart the cards and place them in a photo box for easy storage.

Grab a basket of letters (alphabet magnets, Scrabble tiles, and letter unifix cubes work well) and invite your students to play!

Students grab a card, say the word, and then add the missing letter. For example:

“Zap. Z-ap. That starts with the sound / z /. It is spelled with Z.” The student then places a Z on the empty line and pulls out the next card in the stack.

Any letters will work for this activity, but three of our favorites are alphabet magnets, Scrabble tiles, and letter Unifix cubes. They are all hands-on, tactile ways for students to practice their beginning sounds!

Grab Your Task Cards

Click the blue button below to grab your freebie and then request an invite to our VIP teaching membership, The Science of Reading Formula, so you can unlock all of the print-and-go teaching tools you need to teach reading the easier, brain-friendly way.