Mouth Mechanics Teacher Guide
Phonics Small Group Intervention
Mouth Mechanics
Differentiating Short /e/ and Short /i/ via Articulation
Grade: 2nd Grade Target: Phonics / Articulation Duration: 15–20 Mins
Objective
Students will isolate and distinguish /e/ (as in pen) and /i/ (as in pin) using mouth-shape feedback.
Key Materials
Handheld mirrors, "Mouth Mechanics" sorting mats, minimal-pair cards, pencils.
Why It Works
These sounds are acoustic "cousins." Physical articulation differences give students a tangible anchor.
The Articulation Blueprint
Short /e/ Sound /ɛ/ as in "Ed"
The "Wide Smile"
The mouth is opened vertically about "two fingers wide." The tongue is flat in the middle of the mouth.
Coaching Cues: "Drop your chin." "Two-finger open smile."
Short /i/ Sound /ɪ/ as in "Itch"
The "Tight Smile"
The mouth is almost closed (only "one finger wide"). The cheeks are pulled back tight; the tongue is high and forward.
Coaching Cues: "Keep chin up." "One-finger tight smile."
1 Warm-Up & Mouth Calibration (4 Minutes)
Direct Instruction Script:
"Today we are sound mechanics! Sometimes our ears get tricked by /e/ and /i/. But our mouths never lie! Let’s look in our mirrors. Say /e/ like in 'Ed'. Feel your chin drop down? It takes two fingers to fit in that smile. Now say /i/ like 'Itch'. Your cheeks pull tight, and only one finger fits. Let's practice switching: /e/ (wide), /i/ (tight)!"
The Mirror Routine:
- Students hold mirror to watch their chin drop.
- Practice isolated vowel sound switching:
/e/ - /i/ - /e/ - /i/.
- Physically place fingers horizontally to gauge mouth gap.
Physical Feedback:
- Touch cheeks for /i/ (feel the tight muscle tension).
- Touch jaw for /e/ (feel the jaw physically drop lower).
- Pair with the physical card sorting mat.
Page 1 of 2 • Mouth Mechanics Small Group Guide
2 Guided Sorting Routine (6 Minutes)
How to Conduct the Card Sort:
Using the Mouth Mechanics Sorting Mat and word cards, model sorting minimal pair cards by exaggerating and feeling the word's vowel shape.
1. Model the Pair
Take pen and pin. Say both slowly while looking in your mirror. Point out: "In pen, my chin drops. In pin, my cheeks pull tight."
2. Student Trial
Students repeat the words while keeping their fingers to their jaws/cheeks to feel the sound change. Have them place the card on the mat.
3. Fast Sort
Have students work in pairs or individually to sort the remaining 10 cards. They must say the word aloud to earn the card placement!
3 Dictation Assessment (4 Minutes)
Dictation Sentences (Students write on scratch paper or whiteboard)
1
"The pig fell in the red bed."
Focus words: pig (/i/), red (/e/), bed (/e/)
2
"She got a ten dollar bill."
Focus words: ten (/e/), bill (/i/)
3
"Get the pin for the pen."
Focus words: get (/e/), pin (/i/), pen (/e/) - ultimate test!
Scaffolding & Error Correction
If Student Guesses / Says Wrong:
- Stop them and say: "Watch my mouth first. Repeat just the vowel sound."
- Have them put index fingers on jaw hinges.
- Have them say the sound again and notice if their jaw dropped or stayed shut.
Extension for Fast Finishers:
- Have them write down other words that fit the "Wide Smile" or "Tight Smile" rules.
- Ask them to write silly sentence pairs, like "The wet wig was on the pig."
- Challenge them to point out sounds to partners.
Master Word List (Intervention Set)
/e/ pen
/i/ pin
/e/ ten
/i/ tin
/e/ bed
/i/ bid
/e/ hem
/i/ him
/e/ set
/i/ sit
/e/ peck
/i/ pick
Page 2 of 2 • Mouth Mechanics Small Group Guide
Mouth Mechanics Sorting Cards
Mouth Mechanics Activity
Sound Lab Sorting Mat
Name
Date
Mouth Mechanic Instructions:
1. Look in your mirror. 2. Say the word on the card clearly. 3. Feel your chin and cheeks.
4. Place the card under the correct mouth shape below!
Zone A
Short /e/ "Wide Smile"
Say: "Ed" • Your chin drops down (2 fingers wide)
/e/ pen bed
Place /e/ Cards Here Wide smile words
Zone B
Short /i/ "Tight Smile"
Say: "Itch" • Cheeks pull back (1 finger wide)
/i/ pin bid
Place /i/ Cards Here Tight smile words
Page 1 of 2 • Printable Articulation Sorting Mat
Hands-On Practice
Mouth Mechanics Word Cards
Cut along the dotted lines. Say the word aloud, feel your mouth shape, and sort!
12 Minimal Pairs
Pair 1
pen
Short /e/ Wide Smile
Pair 1
pin
Short /i/ Tight Smile
Pair 2
ten
Short /e/ Wide Smile
Pair 2
tin
Short /i/ Tight Smile
Pair 3
bed
Short /e/ Wide Smile
Pair 3
bid
Short /i/ Tight Smile
Pair 4
hem
Short /e/ Wide Smile
Pair 4
him
Short /i/ Tight Smile
Pair 5
set
Short /e/ Wide Smile
Pair 5
sit
Short /i/ Tight Smile
Pair 6
peck
Short /e/ Wide Smile
Pair 6
pick
Short /i/ Tight Smile
Page 2 of 2 • Cut-Out Minimal Pair Word Cards
