What characterizes an initial synthetic phonics activity?

An initial synthetic phonics activity is characterized by the systematic approach to teaching the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters, where common rimes such as "at," "an," and "it" are written on the board. This method helps students recognize patterns in how phonemes (sounds) blend with graphemes (letters) to form words. By showcasing common rimes, students can better understand decoding strategies and sound blending, which are crucial for reading development.

In synthetic phonics, students are often engaged in activities that help them synthesize sounds into words, and writing rimes provides a foundation for this learning. This approach allows for a structured initiation into phonics, making it an essential component of early literacy instruction.