Prepare Materials – Provide students with a sound box mat (with 2-4 boxes), counters, and a whiteboard or paper for writing.

Introduce the Activity – Explain that each box represents a single sound in a word. As we say a word, we will stretch out the sounds and place a counter in each box for every sound we hear.

Model the Process – Choose a simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) word like "hat." Slowly segment the sounds: /h/ /a/ /t/, placing a counter in each box as you say the sounds.

Guided Practice – Say a word like "shop." Help students break it down into /sh/ /o/ /p/, emphasizing that "sh" is one sound. Have them move counters into the boxes.

Letter Connection – Once students segment the sounds, have them replace counters with letter tiles or write the letters in each box to connect sounds to letters.

Independent Practice – Give students new words and let them complete the activity independently, using both counters and letters to reinforce phonics patterns.

Apply to Reading and Writing – Have students read words using their segmented sounds, then write the words without the boxes to reinforce spelling.

“What sound do you hear at the beginning/middle/end of the word?”

“What letters can we use to spell each sound?”

“Can you think of another word that has the same beginning or ending sound?”