The Word Shop has mixed up its stock, and kindergarten students sort 12 pictured words by syllable count. They say each word, clap its parts, and write or draw it in a bin for 1, 2, or 3 claps. The bank runs from dog and sun to dinosaur and butterfly, with four words for each bin. Two short questions follow. It practices Common Core RF.K.2.b. The answer key shows the full sort plus sample new words such as volcano and ladybug.
RF.K.2.b
“Count, pronounce, blend, and segment syllables in spoken words.”
The whole sort, plus question 2, where students produce their own one-, two-, and three-syllable words.
Twelve labeled cartoon pictures: dog, apple, banana, sun, spider, dinosaur, car, pencil, elephant, frog, robot, and butterfly.
Three columns headed 1 Clap, 2 Claps, and 3 Claps. Students write or draw each word from the bank in the right bin.
Question 1 asks which word was hardest to clap and sort, and why. Question 2 asks students to add one new item of their own to each bin.
The finished sort (dog, sun, car, frog; apple, spider, pencil, robot; banana, dinosaur, elephant, butterfly) and sample replies for both questions.
Stand and clap
Have the class stand and clap each word together before anyone writes. The key names spider as a hard one because its two parts run together, so slow down there.
For nonwriters
Students can draw each item in its bin instead of writing it. A quick sketch of a banana in the 3 Claps box shows the same understanding.
Card sort first
Let pairs sort the cut-out Word Bank pictures on the desk. Four cards per bin gives students a way to check their own work before they copy.
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