Word Study Center

Phoneme Segmentation War

Grade Level: 2nd 3rd
Purpose:
Segmenting phonemes in a word can be very difficult for students, especially when it comes to
identifying every phoneme that is present. Learning segmentation however, is important for
developing reading skills within each student. When a student segments a word they are
identifying the words individual sounds, which helps the student to understand letter sound
relationships in the future. Segmentation is also beneficial for learning how to decode words
based on their sounds, and chunking words through phonemes that they already know.
Material List:

Directions Sheet
Deck of picture cards (Template attached)
Scissors to cut the cards
Answer Key

Description:
Segmentation War is similar to its card game counterpart. A pair of students will separate the
card deck into half and flip over a card at the same time. Each student will then count the number
of phonemes in their picture; the student whose picture has the most number of phonemes takes
both cards. For example, Bob flips over a picture of a pig, he counts his phonemes /p/ /i/ /g/ = 3
and Suzy flips over a picture of a tiger /t/ /i/ /g/ /er/ =4. Since Suzy has a higher number of
phonemes she takes both cards. The students continue to play until they are out of cards.
If there is a disagreement between the two students over who has more phonemes or whether or
not one person is correct they can check the answer binder. The binder will contain the number
of phonemes for every picture in the card game.
If a student wants to play this game individually they can sort the cards by the number of
phonemes each picture has.
Differentiation Options:
Advanced Learners:

Find pictures in a magazine, or newspaper, or draw their own pictures to create new cards
Try to create a deck that is unbeatable

Struggling Learners:

Pictures with easier to identify phonemes will be used.

English Language Learners:

All of the picture cards spoken words will be recorded on an iPad. If the student does not
know what the picture is then they can find that cards picture on the iPad and listen to a
recording of it being spoken.
If the iPad is unavailable they have the option of having their partner read them the word.

References:
Idea was adapted from the Florida Center for Reading Research
"Florida Center for Reading Research." For Educators. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.fcrr.org/for-educators/sca_2-3.asp>.
Word ideas gotten from http://blog.maketaketeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/PhonemeSegmentation-Words1.gif
Pictures take from Google Images without permission

Phonem
e
Segmen
tation
War

Two Player Directions

Each player gets half the cards

Flip over a card at the same time

Count the phonemes

/P/ /i/ /g/ =

/T/ /i/ /g/ /er/ =

The picture with more phonemes takes the cards

4 is more than 3

Repeat until one person runs out of cards

Check the Answer Binder if you cant agree

Answer
Binder

One Player Directions

Separate the cards into number of phonemes
3 phonemes

/P/ /i/ /g/ =

4 phonemes

/D/ /u/ /k/ =

/T/ /i/ /g/ /er/ =