Reading Strategy: Sound Tapping Appropriate Grade Level: Preschool-Kindergarten Procedures/Steps: Materials: Cymbals, Sand Blocks, & Rhythmn Sticks Give each student an instrument. The instruments are used to represent each syllable of word, as well as divide the words in a sentence. Tell the students that you are going to read a short sentence. Each time they hear a word, they need to play their instruments. For example, if they hear the word “she” they should Next, tell the students you are going to say a word that has more than one sound. Each time they hear a sound they need to play their instruments. For example if the teacher were to say “di-no-saur” than they would need to play their instruments as shown, Comments and/or tips: Children will find this fun, because they get to make lots of noise! There are other instruments not listed above that would be appropriate for this strategy, such as bells. Clearly pronounce each syllable and help the children find each syllable, until they can independently complete the task. You could also complete this strategy when you are reading the class a short story. They can identify the words within a sentence you read, or they can identify the syllables of a multi syllable word within the text. Source: Pullen, P.C. & Justice, L.M. (2003). Enhancing phonological awareness, print awareness, and oral language skills in preschool children. Interventions in School and Clinic, 39(2), 87-98.