Shh shells

Phonics is a key area of learning in Key Stage 1 and therefore should be made to be an enjoyable learning experience for the children. These phonics activities are tactile and sensory to give the children a new way of learning.

Learning outcomes

You will be able to:

• decode and read words with the ‘sh’ phoneme

You will need (per class)

• 1 x shallow Gratnells Tray (F1) with a lid
• Sand
• 20 x Shells (quantity depends on how many words you want to focus on)

Preparation:

• Choose the words to write onto the shells.
• Using a permanent pen, write on each of the words carefully.
• Leave shells to dry for a few minutes.
• Fill the Gratnells tray with sand and place shells inside.

What to do:

• Ensure that all the shells are covered by the sand.
• Explain to the children that they need to find the shells.
• When they find one, they need to read the word correctly.
• After the child has read the word, they put it to one side.
• The child with the most correctly read words at the end is the winner.

Other things to try…

• Children could practice writing the ‘sh’ grapheme in the sand.
• How many words can the children remember with the ‘sh’ sound?
• Share photographs of your phonics fun on social media using #WhatsInMyTray.

Health & Safety

As with all Gratnells Learning Rooms What’s In My Tray activities, you should carry out your own risk assessment prior to undertaking any of the activities or demonstrations.