Overview
The children will place pictures on an octagon as they practice saying the /o/ sound in words such as on, off, octagon, and ostrich.

Literacy Activities
Off the octagon

• Place the picture cards on the octagon graphic and explain that an octagon is a shape with eight sides.
• Tell the children that any words that do not start with /o/ will need to come off the octagon. 
• Have the children decide whether each picture starts with the /o/ sound.
  • If the picture starts with the /o/ sound, have the children say, "On the octagon!" and leave the picture on the octagon.
  • If the picture does not start with the /o/ sound, have the children say, "Off the octagon!" and take the picture off the octagon.
• Throughout the activity, emphasize the /o/ sound at the beginning of the words.
• Repeat the game using word cards.
• Have the children underline the letter O in the words, then help them read the words.

On the octagon

• Print the puzzle piece and ostrich graphics, using a double-sided setting so that the paper has the puzzle pieces on one side and the ostrich on the other side.
• Cut out the puzzle pieces and hide them around the room.
• Tell the children that an ostrich is hiding somewhere and there are clues around the room to help find him.
• Have the children find the puzzle pieces and place them on the octagon.
• Let the children name each picture.
• Point out that all the pictures begin with the letter O, which makes the /o/ sound.
• Once the puzzle is assembled, tape the puzzle together and turn it over to discover where the ostrich is hiding.

More Practice
Identify, blend, and manipulate sounds

• Have children identify the beginning, middle and ending sounds of words by tapping their head (beginning), shoulders (middle), and toes (end).
  • For example: cot = /c/ (tap head) + /o/ (tap shoulders) + /t/ (tap toes).
• Point out that all of the words have the /o/ sound in the middle of the word.
  • pot = p + o + t
  • lot = l + o + t
  • hop = h + o + p

Write the target letter

• Give the children an octagon and have them write the letter O on the octagon while saying the /o/ sound.