Learning Resources Say-a-Sound Sorting Sharks — Honest Review
This compact set of manipulatives is built around phonemic awareness and hands-on sorting. Marketed for Montessori classrooms and kindergarten learning, the Say-a-Sound Sorting Sharks aim to make early reading skills more concrete. Below I explain what the product does, who it helps, and where it falls short.
What it does — clear and simple
At its core, this is a phonics activity set. Children sort picture or sound cards into categories represented by shark pieces. The activity trains young learners to hear and identify letter sounds, blend simple phonemes, and practice basic reading concepts. It is presented as a tactile, playful way to work on speech therapy goals, phonemic awareness, and early decoding skills.
Pros — what I liked
- Hands-on learning: The tactile element helps many children who struggle with abstract letter-sound relationships.
- Clear learning focus: It targets phonemic awareness directly, which is a core skill for learning to read.
- Versatile use: Works in classrooms, small-group interventions, and at home. Speech therapists and special-education teachers can adapt activities easily.
- Child-friendly design: The shark theme and colorful cards make the tasks feel like play rather than drill.
- Supports learners with dyslexia: Structured, multisensory practice is useful for children who need extra phonological training.
Cons — limitations to consider
- Not comprehensive: This is a focused tool for beginning sounds and sorting. It won’t replace a full phonics curriculum.
- Potential small pieces: As with most manipulatives, the set may include small cards or parts that are not suitable for very young children. Check the age recommendations and supervise play.
- Durability questions: Plastic cards and pieces can wear with heavy use. Laminating or storing carefully may be necessary in busy classrooms.
- Guidance level: The set is easy to use but comes with limited lesson plans. Teachers or parents might need to create additional activities to extend learning.
Who this is good for
This product is best for preschoolers and early elementary students who are just beginning to connect sounds to letters. It suits:
- Teachers running small phonemic-awareness groups.
- Parents who want hands-on phonics practice at home.
- Speech-language pathologists using concrete materials in sessions.
- Children who benefit from multisensory learning, including some students with dyslexia.
Who might want something else
If your child is already blending multiple phonemes, reading simple decodable texts, or needs more advanced phonics, this set will feel limited. Also, if you want a full curriculum with progress tracking, digital support, or an all-in-one reading program, combine this toy with structured lessons or transition to more comprehensive phonics resources.
Short comparison with similar products
Compared with magnetic phonics tiles or letter-sound apps, the Sorting Sharks are more tactile and playful but less flexible for building words. Unlike some wooden Montessori phonics boards, this set is clearly themed and activity-driven rather than open-ended. For classrooms, it can complement these other materials rather than replace them.
Final assessment and recommendation
Say-a-Sound Sorting Sharks is a focused, child-friendly tool for building phonemic awareness. It works well as a supplemental resource for early readers and for targeted speech therapy work. It is not a complete reading program, and heavy-use settings should plan for wear or add protective measures.
If you need a simple, hands-on way to practice beginning sounds and want something that engages young children, this set is worth considering. If you need an in-depth curriculum or materials for older readers, look for complementary resources.
Keywords: phonemic awareness, Montessori toys, dyslexia tools, speech therapy materials, learn to read, sorting sharks, phonics flash cards.
