The object of Tomb Trek is to identify a pronounced target word when presented in a sequence of two pronounced and written words.
Tomb Trek helps improve the ability to recognize words, the ability to recognize the relationship between letters and sounds, and the ability to understand letter patterns (word analysis). Tomb Trek also helps improve the ability to make correct distinctions based on individual phonemes (phonological accuracy), and the capacity for holding speech sounds in memory (phonological memory).
Target Words
Activity: Listen in as the student works on the Tomb Trek exercise. When the student clicks the yellow planet, he or she will listen to the target word. Next, the student will be presented with a pair of spoken and written words, one of which is the target word. After the student listens to the trial, ask him or her what the target word was (the first word he or she listened to) and if this word came first or second when the pair was presented. The student will then select the correct word.
Contrasting words (on whiteboard)
Resources: Whiteboard with five columns and six rows for a total of 30 empty squares
Activity: Using a marker, demonstrate for the student how you are writing the word “mud” and place this word in the upper left square. Discuss the three different letters in the word, say the sounds together. Then ask the student to write “mud” in another square of his choice, spelling it as he writes. Ask the student to fill in two more squares with the word “mud”.
Then ask the student to watch you spell another word that looks almost the same as “mud” but starts with a different letter. Write “cud” and talk about what a cud is and how it sounds and is spelled. Ask the student to write “cud” in another empty square. Discuss the differences between “mud” and “cud.” Then ask the student to complete the table squares using either “mud” or “dud” – student’s choice, but saying the word and spelling it for you as he completes the exercise.
