Letter and sound explorations help students learn about letters and how words are formed. The teacher focuses students' attention on the process of exploring patterns. The goal is for students to use letters and words in books they are reading as the starting point for word recognition and spelling. It is necessary for students to know why they are learning sounds and patterns in words for their reading and writing before you begin. For explorations with words, create a class list of common words used as a basis for student exploration.
Students can work in pairs and write the words they find on cards.
By searching and sorting for a letter, students are given practice with letters and sounds that are represented in different positions in the word. Listen for sounds in words. Ask students to listen for sounds in words you say. Cunningham, P. 1995. Phonics they use, 2d ed.