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Consonant Sound Match

Run the Consonant Sound Match MicroSim Fullscreen

Edit the Consonant Sound Match MicroSim Using the p5.js Editor

About This MicroSim

The Consonant Sound Match MicroSim helps kindergarten students learn the primary sounds of consonant letters through self-directed exploration. Clicking any letter plays its sound and shows an example word with a picture, building audio-visual associations that strengthen memory.

Features

  • 21 Consonants: All consonant letters displayed in a colorful grid
  • Sound Pronunciation: Each letter's primary sound is spoken
  • Example Words: Common words that start with each sound
  • Emoji Pictures: Visual associations for each example word
  • Uppercase & Lowercase: Both letter forms displayed together
  • Visual Feedback: Animated selection with sparkle effects
  • Repeat Button: Hear any letter's sound again

How to Use

  1. Click any consonant letter in the grid
  2. Listen to the letter's sound being pronounced
  3. See the example word and picture
  4. Learn the letter-sound connection
  5. Explore other letters freely
  6. Click "Hear Again" to repeat the current letter's sound

Consonant Sounds Covered

Letter Sound Example
B /b/ ball
C /k/ cat
D /d/ dog
F /f/ fish
G /g/ goat
H /h/ hat
J /j/ jam
K /k/ kite
L /l/ lion
M /m/ moon
N /n/ nest
P /p/ pig
Q /kw/ queen
R /r/ rain
S /s/ sun
T /t/ turtle
V /v/ van
W /w/ water
X /ks/ fox
Y /y/ yellow
Z /z/ zebra

Iframe Example

You can include this MicroSim on your website using the following iframe:

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<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/reading-for-kindergarten/sims/consonant-sound-match/main.html"
        height="452px"
        width="100%"
        scrolling="no"></iframe>

Lesson Plan

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, students will be able to:

  1. Remember: Recall the primary sound for each consonant letter
  2. Understand: Explain how a consonant's sound appears at the beginning of words
  3. Apply: Identify the beginning sound in new words
  4. Analyze: Compare similar consonant sounds (like C and K)

Suggested Activities

  1. Letter of the Day: Focus on one letter, finding objects in the room that start with that sound
  2. Sound Hunt: After exploring letters, go on a hunt for items that start with a chosen sound
  3. Name Game: Connect letters to students' names that start with each sound
  4. Sound Sort: Sort picture cards by beginning consonant sound

Assessment Opportunities

  • Observe which letters students explore most and least
  • Ask students to identify the sound of specific letters
  • Have students generate words that start with target sounds

Differentiation

  • Support: Focus on a subset of consonants first (B, M, S, T are good starters)
  • Challenge: Ask students to think of additional words for each letter

Teaching Notes

  • C and K make the same /k/ sound - acknowledge this connection
  • X rarely makes its sound at the beginning of words (fox, box use ending /ks/)
  • Some letters have multiple sounds (C: cat vs. city) - this focuses on primary sounds

Technical Notes

  • Uses p5.js for interactive graphics
  • Web Speech API for sound pronunciation
  • Web Audio API for selection tones
  • Touch and mouse input supported
  • Responsive design adapts to container width

References