alphabet centers: beginning sound sort

Recommended Grade Level:

Preschool kindergarten

Type of Resource: PDF

Number of Pages: 56

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Coordinating Activities

Alphabet Centers: Beginning Sound Sort

  • Instructions and table of contents
  • A-Z sorting mats: “Words that start with” the letter and a column for words that do not
  • Picture cards for each letter
  • Color set for centers (pages 4-29)
  • Black and white cut and glue set with a name line (pages 30-55)

The Xx mat sorts by ending sound, since few words start with x.

Required Materials:

  • Paper, printer and ink
  • Laminator
  • Paper cutter or scissors
  • Glue sticks and crayons for the black and white set

Standards for Beginning Sounds

These sorts support early literacy standards connected to hearing beginning sounds and matching them to letters.

Common Core State Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.3.A: Demonstrate basic knowledge of one-to-one letter-sound correspondences by producing the primary sound or many of the most frequent sounds for each consonant. Kids listen for the first sound in each picture name.

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and TEKS

  • PK4.III.C.2: Child recognizes at least 20 distinct letter-sound correspondences. Kids listen for the first sound in each picture name.

Virginia Standards of Learning

  • English K.FFR.3.B: Identify common letter-sound correspondences. Kids listen for the first sound in each picture name.

Alphabet Centers: Beginning Sound Sort gives preschool and kindergarten kids a picture sort for every letter that builds phonemic awareness.

Kids name each picture, listen for the first sound and decide if it starts with the letter on the mat or not.

Saying each word out loud is the key. Kids hear the sound, then match it to the letter.

How to Use Alphabet Centers: Beginning Sound Sort

  1. Print the color mats and picture cards, then laminate.
  2. Cut apart the picture cards.
  3. Kids name each picture out loud.
  4. Kids sort it under the letter or under the “not” column.
  5. For the black and white set, kids color, cut and glue the pictures.

Literacy Center: Set out one or two letters that match your letter of the week.

Small Group: Name the pictures together before sorting.

Easy Ways to Differentiate This Beginning Sound Sort

Every group has a mix of skills and needs. These simple changes keep the activity familiar while meeting each child where they are.

For Children Who Need More Support:

  • Name each picture for the child.
  • Stretch the first sound: “mmmouse.”
  • Sort only four pictures.
  • Use letters with sounds that can be held, like m and s.

For On-Level Practice:

  • Sort all the pictures.
  • Say the word and sound for each card.
  • Sort a new letter each day.
  • Explain one choice to a partner.

For an Extra Challenge:

  • Mix two letters and sort into three groups.
  • Think of a new word for the letter.
  • Write the first letter of each picture.
  • Sort by ending sound.

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:

  • Show each step and give plenty of wait time.
  • Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
  • Work on a few letters at a time and repeat them across several days.
  • Say the letter name and sound together every time.

Alphabet Centers: Beginning Sound Sort Is Perfect For:

  • Preschool and pre-K
  • Kindergarten
  • Phonemic awareness practice
  • Literacy centers
  • Letter of the week
  • Special education
  • ELL and multilingual learners
  • Homeschool

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