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.