Date of Defense

12-6-2024

Date of Graduation

4-2025

Department

Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies

First Advisor

Jennifer Lennon

Second Advisor

Meredith Reinhart

Abstract

This Kindergarten phonological awareness unit plan provides a clear, structured approach to developing essential early literacy skills by helping children recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language. Through systematic, explicit, and differentiated instruction, students engage in multiple practice opportunities using varied examples of sounds, including beginning and ending sounds, rhymes, medial vowels, blending, segmenting, syllables, and sound manipulation. The plan incorporates flexible group sizes, from whole-class instruction to small groups and partner activities, allowing for personalized support tailored to diverse learners. Engaging, hands-on activities such as tongue twisters, sound clap games, rhyming circles, Elkonin boxes, and movement-based lessons make abstract sound concepts concrete and enjoyable, fostering active participation and confidence. By building strong auditory skills and connecting sounds to letters, this unit lays a solid foundation for phonics instruction and overall reading and spelling development, supporting young learners in becoming confident, successful readers and writers.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

Additional Files
Presentation.pdf (2303 kB)
Defense Presentation
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