The Listening Center: Alliteration Activities

Alliteration is the repetition of the initial sounds in two or more words. Phonological awareness deals with the sounds of language, so it is the initial sound of the words and not the first letter that is important. For example, "city" and "car" begin with the same letter but don't start with the same sound. They are not examples of alliteration.

Focus on the beginning sound and think about the words "cat" and "kite". Even though they begin with different letters, the initial sound of each word is the same. Create classroom collections of items that start with the same sounds to give children lots of practice.

You can easily incorporate alliteration into classroom vocabulary. A stuffed animal quickly becomes a cute kitten. Your reading partner is your book buddy. And don't forget line leader and morning message.

Activities:
1. Taking a Trip: Tell the student you are taking a trip to a farm, doctors, picnic, etc. Say 2 words and have the student identify the word that starts with the same sound as the place you are visiting. For example, "We are going to take a trip to the farm. We can only take things that begin with the same sound as f-f-farm. Circle the word/picture of the object that can go with us on our trip." Say, "Fish, man. Which one can go with us to the f-f-farm?" Have students say the word, circle the word/picture on a sheet, or place a marker on the correct word/picture.

2. Mystery Game: Give student clues for a person, place, or thing by using 3 words that start with the same sound. For example, big, bossy boy (have words/pictures of mother, sister, brother). Another example, green grass growing (parking lot, sky, park).

3. Doesn't Belong: Say 3 words, 2 of which begin with the same sound. Invite the student to identify the one word that does not begin with the same sound as the other 2 words. Record responses.

4. Dr. Seuss Books: Invite students to listen to Dr. Seuss books. (Lots of alliteration in his books.)