This tutorial covers the Phoneme Segmentation activity, Step 2, in the iSPIRE program. The activity is designed to enhance students' understanding of phonemes and their segmentation in words, an essential skill in developing reading proficiency.
Video Guide:
Conducting Step 2: Phoneme Segmentation
Activity Duration: Step 2 is structured to be brief yet impactful, taking approximately five minutes to complete.
Eyes on Teacher Mode: Most Step 2 activities are conducted in "Eyes on Teacher Mode," requiring students to focus their attention on the teacher for instructions. This mode effectively maintains classroom engagement and ensures students absorb the material.
Introducing Segmentation: In higher levels of the iSPIRE program, Step 2 introduces the concept of segmentation. This addition builds on students' foundational knowledge and introduces a more advanced aspect of phonemic awareness.
Accessing the Activity:
The Phoneme Segmentation activity is accessed by clicking on a designated purple box within the iSPIRE platform.
Clicking this box opens the activity in a separate tab for the teacher and the students, ensuring everyone is focused on the same material.
Engaging with the Activity:
Students engage with the material during the activity by manipulating circles according to the teacher's instructions. This hands-on approach helps solidify their understanding of phoneme segmentation.
It's important to note that students do not submit their work within this activity. Instead, the teacher should actively move around the classroom, observing and providing feedback on students' work as necessary.
Concluding the Activity:
After completing the Phoneme Segmentation activity, the teacher and students must close the separate activity tab. This action is crucial for returning to the main lesson tab and proceeding with the lesson.
Closing the tab also ensures that the student devices are resynchronized with the teacher's device, maintaining the seamless flow of the lesson.
Key Points to Remember
Active Participation: The Phoneme Segmentation activity in Step 2 is designed to be interactive, with students actively participating under the teacher's guidance.
Teacher's Role: The teacher's involvement is critical in guiding the activity, providing instructions, and offering immediate feedback to students.
Transition Between Tabs: Managing the transition between the separate activity tab and the main lesson tab is essential for keeping the lesson organized and ensuring all devices remain in sync.
By incorporating these steps into the Phoneme Segmentation activity, teachers can effectively utilize the iSPIRE program to enhance students' phonemic awareness and reading skills engagingly and interactively.