Sound Safari Sorting Mat Sound Safari Sorting Mat
Really Great Reading Countdown • Initial Continuous Sounds
Name: Date:
Directions: Name the picture card. Stretch the very first sound. Sort it into the matching column!
Continuous Sounds: Keep air moving!
Ss /s/
Sun
Mouth Cue: Teeth together, hiss like a snake: "ssssss"
Place /s/ Picture Cards Here (8 Total)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Mm /m/
Moon
Mouth Cue: Lips pressed together, hum like a motor: "mmmmm"
Place /m/ Picture Cards Here (8 Total)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Countdown Routine 1. Hold up card • 2. Stretch initial sound (/sssss/ or /mmmmm/) • 3. Check mouth feeling • 4. Match & Sort!
No schwa ("suh" / "muh")
Sound Safari Picture Cards Sound Safari Picture Cards
Really Great Reading Countdown • Initial /s/ and /m/ Picture Sort
Cut along dashed lines • 16 Cards
How to play: 1. Cut out each card. 2. Say the picture name out loud. 3. Stretch the first sound. 4. Sort on the /s/ or /m/ mat! 8 of each sound
CARD 01
sun /s/ • u • n
CARD 02
mitten /m/ • i • tt • e • n
CARD 03
sandwich /s/ • a • n • d • w • i • ch
CARD 04
moon /m/ • oo • n
CARD 05
mug /m/ • u • g
CARD 06
soap /s/ • oa • p
CARD 07
milk /m/ • i • l • k
CARD 08
sail /s/ • ai • l
CARD 09
sock /s/ • o • ck
CARD 10
map /m/ • a • p
CARD 11
soup /s/ • ou • p
CARD 12
muffin /m/ • u • ff • i • n
CARD 13
mop /m/ • o • p
CARD 14
sub /s/ • u • b
CARD 15
mask /m/ • a • s • k
CARD 16
sink /s/ • i • n • k
Prep Suggestion: Print on heavy cardstock and laminate before cutting for durable literacy center reuse.
Really Great Reading Countdown Aligned
Sound Safari Teacher Guide Sound Safari Teacher Guide
Really Great Reading Countdown Alignment • Phonics & Phonemic Awareness
Facilitation & Answer Key
Countdown Phoneme Isolation Routine
Step 1: Name It
Hold up the picture card. Say the word naturally together: "This is a sun ."
Step 2: Stretch It
Elongate the first sound for 2 full seconds: "ssssss-un" or "mmmmm-ilk" .
Step 3: Feel It
Notice articulators: Teeth closed for /s/? Lips pressed and throat humming for /m/?
Step 4: Sort It
Place the card into the matching column on the mat. State: "sun begins with /s/ !"
/s/ • Continuous Hiss (Unvoiced) Keyword: Sun
Teeth: Lightly closed together, lips smiling.
Airflow: Friction stream across the tongue tip ("like snake hiss").
Voice Box: Quiet / unvoiced (no throat vibration).
Watch out: Avoid adding a schwa ("suh"). Keep it pure: /sssss/.
/m/ • Continuous Hum (Voiced Nasal) Keyword: Moon
Lips: Firmly pressed together; mouth closed.
Airflow: Escapes gently through the nose ("motor hum").
Voice Box: Turned on! Throat buzzes when touched.
Watch out: Avoid adding a schwa ("muh"). Keep it pure: /mmmmm/.
Picture Card Quick-Check Answer Key
16 Cards Total (8 per column)
Letter Ss • /s/ Words (8 Cards) Card #
1. sun #01
2. sandwich #03
3. soap #06
4. sail #08
5. sock #09
6. soup #11
7. sub #14
8. sink #16
Letter Mm • /m/ Words (8 Cards) Card #
1. mitten #02
2. moon #04
3. mug #05
4. milk #07
5. map #10
6. muffin #12
7. mop #13
8. mask #15
Scaffolding Support (Struggling Learners)
Hand Mirror: Have students view mouth shape (smiling teeth vs. closed lips).
Throat Check: Place two fingers gently on throat to feel voice box vibration on /m/.
Provide only 4 cards (2 of each) to start before full 16-card sort.