Sound Buddies are visual aids used by teachers to help children learn and identify letter combinations that make the same sound. Knowing the letters that make a specific sound is an important skill because it makes word solving more efficient. Attention to letter combinations and patterns helps children to decode unknown words effectively and to decode by analogy. Children receive explicit instruction in identifying the letter combinations that appear on the Sound Buddies in words and in word families. They are trained to use the strategy of looking for what they know inside the word before sounding it out. Sound Buddies can also be used for word sorts and are an excellent bulletin board display. Each set of Sound Buddies includes 25 sounds organized in groups of 2, 3 and 4 Sound Buddies. Teachers activity guide included. Grades K-2.