Kindergarten · English language arts · 20 minutes
Hear beginning sounds
Say sun slowly without adding an extra vowel to /s/. Listen for the first sound in a spoken word.
Mr. S Teaches · Starter mini-lesson · elem-k-hear-beginning-soundsLearning objective
Explain and practice hear beginning sounds using the activity and evidence, then show the reasoning behind an answer.
Gather your materials
- Paper and pencil or dictation support
- The short text provided in this lesson
- Optional drawing supplies
Use the items named in the teaching steps; paper models or adult-prepared photographs can replace physical equipment.
Common Core skill focus
RF.K.2.dSay individual beginning, middle vowel, and ending sounds in three-sound words.
Read the official standard ↗Code and grade verified 2026-11-03. This mini-lesson addresses a selected skill, not the entire standard.
Teach it step by step
- Say sun slowly without adding an extra vowel to /s/.
- Ask the child to repeat the first sound.
- Say sock and map and compare their beginnings.
- Group the matching sounds and then listen to final and middle sounds in simple words.
Watch, notice, discuss
Video choices for this lesson
Preview a video, then choose what fits your learners. “Show to class” opens a larger view; use the player’s play and full-screen controls when you’re ready.
Teacher preview needed. Check the language, level and length before showing. YouTube may show ads or related videos.
Beginning Sounds | Beginning Sounds Song | Word Play | Jack Hartmann
By Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel
Connect this video to the lesson on hear beginning sounds. Pause to try an example together.
Open on YouTube: Beginning Sounds | Beginning Sounds Song | Word Play | Jack Hartmann (opens a new tab) ↗Classroom Phonics for Kindergarten | Learn Classroom Words and Sounds | Kids Learning Video!
By English4abc
Connect this video to the lesson on hear beginning sounds. Pause to try an example together.
Open on YouTube: Classroom Phonics for Kindergarten | Learn Classroom Words and Sounds | Kids Learning Video! (opens a new tab) ↗Say a word slowly. What is its first sound? Find another word with that sound.
An external player loads only after you choose Preview or Show to class. Playback connects to YouTube. Videos belong to their creators; availability and embedding can change.
Make the thinking visible
Example to work through together
Sun and sock begin with /s/; map begins with /m/. In map the middle vowel is /ă/ and the final sound is /p/.
Try the starter activity
Say sun, sock, and map slowly. Group words with matching first sounds.
Student practice
Sort spoken moon, mouse and sun by beginning sound. Say the final sound in sun.
Quick check for understanding
Which two begin with /s/?
Sample answer and teacher guidance
Sample answer: Sun and sock.
Listen or look for: Moon and mouse begin with /m/; sun begins with /s/ and ends with /n/.
Invite the learner to explain, demonstrate, draw or dictate their reasoning. Revisit a teaching step when the explanation is unclear.
Make it work for your learner
A little more support
Use pictures and two choices; allow pointing instead of speech.
An additional challenge
Ask for another word with the same first sound and isolate its middle vowel.