How to Make a Phonics Phone
Phonics phones, or whisper phones, are used in classrooms to help young children improve their reading skills. Often made from PVC pipe, they are phone-shaped hollow tubes that allow children to hear themselves better, when they read or speak quietly into one end. They are especially helpful in kindergarten and first grade classes where most of the students are beginner readers, who need to practice reading aloud. The phones encourage whisper reading, because if you speak in a normal voice into the phone, it is too loud in your ear. This helps keep the noise level down when many students are reading independently out loud and helps children focus on their reading. You can purchase a class set of phonics phones, but it is easy and inexpensive to make your own.
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Things You'll Need
- PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw
- PVC pipe, 1/2 inch diameter
- PVC elbows, 1/2 inch
Instructions
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1
Use the PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw to cut the pipe into 3 1/2 inch sections.
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2
Slip one elbow on each end of the pipe. Turn the elbows so that they face the same direction to make a phone shape.
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3
Push the elbows towards each other to ensure that they are attached tightly.
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Tips & Warnings
For larger phones, use bigger pipe and elbows. Cut the pipe into slightly longer sections for older children.
Make one phone for each child to prevent the spread of germs.
Wipe the phones down with antibacterial wipes to clean them.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
