Differentiating Phonics Sound Sorts

Phonics is a critical part of our primary lives. We sing phonetic songs, we chant them, we read phonetic poems, and then, we do it all again. Phonics matters. Students need to be able to differentiate between different sounds and then, apply them to their own reading. Phonics helps develop automaticity as students read these patterns, and continuous exposure allows students to make the connection to their own writing, reading, and spelling. With that said, basic sound sorts of single-syllable don’t offer ‘just-right’ practice for all our friends. So, today I want to share about how I differentiate sound sorts for all the friends in my class.

What Does Differentiated Word Work Look Like?

Just like my reading and math center, I differentiate our sound sorts using colors – green, yellow, and blue. (Read more about my system here.) The first level of our sound sort includes mostly CVC and CVCe words, perfect for students who are approaching grade-level. The second level includes words that often include multiple phonics patterns or include blends (ex. celebrate, nudged), and for patterns that sound identical I leave blanks (i.e. power/pound would be p__wer and p__nd). The third level includes several phonics patterns, inflected endings, and higher-level sight words. On this highest set, I always include blanks where the phonics patterns belong.

I print the card sets for my students (one on green Astrobrights card stock, one on yellow Astrobrights card stock, and one on blue Astrobrights card stock) and place them in a plastic bag above the Pocket Chart using a magnet. When students choose word sort, they know to grab their ‘just-right’ color and get to work!

Sort Expectations

Since the sorts are a just-right challenge for my students,  I do ask students to work in pairs for this choice. Our Phonics Sort Center expectations are…

1. Greet my partner.
2. Pick my just-right word color.
3. Get to work right away.
4. Pull 1 card at a time. Have both partners read the card.
5. Sort the word under the correct heading.
6. Record the word.
7. Continue until all our words have been sorted.
8. Use my words in sentences.

To ensure that partners can be successful, I include these sorts in Word Work the week after they have been taught in small-groups. This provides the perfect spiral review, and allows me to pull skills I know we need to practice in alternating week. Typically, students see 2 ish sorts a month.

Digital Word Sorts

If you are a tech-based classroom, these  digital sorts are perfect for you. Students have the opportunity to say the word, sort it, and use it in a sentence. You can snag them here.

Storing Word Sorts

To store our Sound Sorts, I keep them in a 2-inch binder with each individual sort in a plastic-sleeve protector. It’s simple and easy to flip through grabbing what I need.

Ultimately – phonics matters. Foundational skills instruction instruction helps ensure ALL students are able to decode and encode texts. It provides solid core instruction for all students and then, follows-up with small group and targeted instruction practice.

If you are interested in additional resources for your classroom check out:

• 12 Differentiated Sound Sorts (printable and digital versions)
• Long Vowel and Short Vowel Sorts (digital and printable versions)
• Phonics Make-a-Match Cards
• Phonics Read and Write the Room Differentiated Task Cards