Current research shows phonological awareness plays an important role in a kindergarten student's ability to read. Phonological awareness (PA) is identifying and manipulating parts of spoken language, such as words, syllables, onsets and rimes, and rhyming. Recent research also indicates a kindergartener's level of phonological awareness is connected to his or her ability to decode words, recognize vocabulary and comprehend text. Students lacking a sense of phonological awareness struggle learning to read. The good news is that kindergarteners' phonological awareness can improve with 10-15 minutes of focused instruction each day. This project guides kindergarten teachers through phonological awareness listening activities, including phonological awareness activities for English as a Second Language, (ESL) Spanish-speaking students. After examining the current research this manual was developed for kindergarten teachers to use in order to provide straightforward, simple, and focused phonological instruction in their classrooms. 

Committee Chair: Dr. Gail Goss.