Elkonin (Sound) Boxes
Focus Area: Phonemic Awareness
Timing: 5-10 minutes
Materials:
Elkonin Boxes card for each student
Set of multi-colored counters (i.e., chips) for each student
List of appropriate words (and when needed corresponding pictures) for teacher
Procedure:
1. Give the student a sheet with 2-5 boxes (or have him/her draw the boxes on a
dry erase board).
2. Distribute 5-6 different colored counters. Have the student place the counters
within the oval located above the boxes. Model the activity with 3-5 words before
having the student participate with you. Then, have the student do it on his/her
own.
3. For each phoneme within the spoken word, the student “says and moves” the
counter into the appropriate box (progressing from left-to-right OR from
beginning-to-medial-to ending sounds).
EXAMPLE:
Say the word “sat.”
The student says /s/ and moves a counter into the first box (beginning sound).
The student then says /a/ and moves a different colored counter into the
second box (medial sound). Finally, the student says /t/ and moves the final
counter into the third box (ending sound).
The student finishes by saying the entire word “sat” while sliding his/her
fingers along the arrow (from left-to-right) located underneath the boxes.
Scaffold:
For students who need extra support, provide them with a picture which
represents the target word.
