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SplashLearn Blog – Educational Resources for Parents, Teachers & Kids

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16 Best Phonemic Awareness Activities for Kids in 2023

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Use this phonemic awareness activities guide to enhance your child’s language skills. You kids will learn while having a joyful time with these fun activities.

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If you work with pre-readers or early readers, you know that phonological awareness activities (and in particular, phonemic awareness activities) are essential for kids' literacy success. We've pulled together a huge list of activities, routines, and resources for you to have at your fingertips.

Why are phonological awareness activities important?

Phonological awareness is the ability to hear and work with word parts and sounds in spoken language. Hearing rhyming words, breaking words into syllables, and comparing the beginning or ending sounds in words are all examples of phonological awareness. Having this flexibility with spoken sounds is essential for kids to learn to read and write. Phonological awareness serves as a foundation for phonics skills-learning how letters represent sounds in written language.

Why are phonemic awareness activities important?

Phonemic awareness is a subcategory of phonological awareness-and it's a biggie! These skills allow kids to hear individual sounds in words to be ready to write them. They also let kids blend spoken sounds together to be ready to read words. Solid phonemic awareness is a key predictor of reading success.

Phonological awareness activities, including phonemic awareness activities, don't involve letters. (That's phonics!) This is important to remember, because a word may have a different number of sounds than letters (e.g., "car" has three letters but two spoken sounds, /c/, /ar/). Words might also have different letters but the same sounds when spoken (e.g., car and kitten start with the same /c/ sound). By playing with sounds using their voices, bodies, objects, toys, and picture cards, kids learn to hear the parts and sounds that make up spoken language. Then they can use those skills to move into reading and writing.

Low-Prep Phonological Awareness Activities

Use these activities to help kids hear and work with words, syllables, and word parts.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Count My Words

Say a sentence (the sillier the better!) and ask kids to count how many words you said on their fingers.

2. Chop Up a Message

Plan a sentence out loud. Have kids help chop up a sentence strip to create a piece for each word. As kids get good at this, talk about chopping a longer piece for a word that sounds longer. Practice touching each piece and saying the word it represents. (If you model writing or write the message together, that's phonics-but still great!)

3. Count Words With Objects

Give kids blocks, LEGO bricks, interlocking cubes, or other items. Have them set out an item for each word you say in a silly sentence or message.

4. Syllable Puppet Talk

Puppets are awesome for making phonological awareness activities fun! Use a hand puppet to say words (or have kids try). Together, count how many times the puppet's mouth opens as a way to notice syllables.

5. Syllable Clap, Tap, or Stomp

Use any percussion instrument, like rhythm sticks, homemade drums, or shakers, or just kids' hands or feet. Say each child's name one syllable at a time with a clap, tap, or stomp. When you get tired of class names, use characters from books you read, or content words from a curriculum unit.

6. How Many Syllables? Box

Put a collection of unexpected items in a box. Dramatically pull an item out, talk about the word, and clap how many syllables it has.

7. Syllable Food Chop

Show kids pictures of food items or dig through a bin of play food and have them pretend to "chop the food" into syllable pieces. "Eggplant" gets chopped in two parts, "Asparagus" gets chopped in four parts, etc.

8. Stuffy Syllable Sort

Grab a pile of stuffed toys (or any character toy kids like). Lay out number cards 1 through 4 on the floor and have kids clap each word, count the syllables, and put the item in the right pile.

9. Syllable Smash

Give students balls of dough or clay. Have them smash a ball for each syllable in a spoken word.

Learn more: @droppinknowledgewithheidi

10. Fill In the Rhyme

Read aloud rhyming books and pause to have students chime in the rhyming word.

11. Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Rhymes

Say a pair of words and have students indicate whether or not they rhyme. Expand on this game with Jack Hartmann's Make a Rhyme, Make a Move song.

12. Guess My Rhyming Word

Give a rhyming clue for students to guess your word, such as "I'm thinking of a word that rhymes with goat" for "boat." Or clip picture cards to student headbands, and have them give each other rhyming clues to guess their word. For example, "Your word rhymes with red" for "bed."

13. Sing Rhyming Songs

There are plenty of favorites, but we will always be partial to classics by Raffi like Willoughby Wallaby Woo.

14. Real and Nonsense Rhymes

Start with a real word and brainstorm as many real rhyming words as you can. Then keep going with nonsense words! For instance: goat, coat, moat, throat, boat, zoat, yoat, loat!

15. Which Word Doesn't Belong? Rhymes

Say or show pictures of a set of rhyming words with one non-rhyme. Have students call out the one that doesn't belong.

Low-Prep Phonemic Awareness Activities

Use these activities to help kids work with individual sounds in spoken words.

16. Mirror Sounds

Help kids notice how their lips, tongue, and throat move, look, and feel when they make a specific sound. (Later, they can attach this information to the letter that represents the sound.)

Learn more: Kindermusik.com

17. Tongue Twisters

Practice saying tongue twisters together. Check out this fun list. Talk about the words in each tongue twister that start with the same sound.

18. Robot Talk

Make a simple robot puppet. Use it to say words segmented into individual sounds for kids to blend.

19. Microphone Sounds

Say the sounds in a word into a fun microphone for kids to blend.

Buy it: Wireless microphone on Amazon

20. "I Spy" Beginning Sounds

Spy items around the classroom and give clues based on beginning sound. For instance, for "pencil," say "I spy something that starts with /p/" or "I spy something that starts like pig." When kids get good at this game, adapt it to "I Spy Ending Sounds."

21. Blend and Draw

Say the segmented sounds in a word to kids. Have them blend the sounds and sketch the word on a small dry-erase board.

22. Feed the Monster

Each day, tell kids your classroom tissue box "monster" wants to eat words that have the same beginning, middle, or ending sound as _____. Have kids "feed" picture cards to the monster or just pretend to throw imaginary items its way.

Learn more: Supersimple.com

23. Which Word Doesn't Belong? Sounds

Say a collection of words or show a set of picture cards that have the same beginning, ending, or middle sound, with one extra. Have kids identify the one that doesn't belong.

24. Sound Hunt

Call out a beginning or ending sound. Have kids go to something in the classroom that has that sound (e.g., go to "door" for "starts with the /d/ sound" or go to "sink" for "ends with the /k/ sound").

25. Mystery Object

Put an item in a box or fancy bag. Give kids clues about the item related to its sounds for them to guess the item (e.g., "The mystery object starts like "water" and it has a /ch/ sound at the end" for "watch").

26. Bounce and Roll Segmenting

Give each student a soft ball. Have them bounce or tap the ball for each sound in a word and then roll or slide the ball from left to right as they blend the whole word.

27. Animal Jump Segmenting

Give students any small stuffed animal or toy. Have them make the animal jump for the sounds in words you say and then slide or "run" to blend the whole word.

28. Body Part Segmenting

Have students touch body parts from top to bottom to segment a word. Use head and toes for two-sound words and head, waist, and toes for three-sound words.

29. Body Part Sound Positions

Have students touch a body part to show whether a sound is at the beginning, middle, or end of a word. If they are listening for the /p/ sound, they'd touch their heads for "pickle," their waist for "apple," and their toes for "slurp."

Learn more: @kinderkish

30. Slinky Segmenting

Have kids stretch a Slinky as they say the sounds in a word and then release it to say the whole word.

Buy it: Slinky on Amazon

31. Xylophone Sounds

Say a word and have students tap a xylophone key for each sound, then sweep across the keys to say the whole word.

Buy it: Xylophone for kids on Amazon

32. Phoneme Segmentation Bracelets

Have students move one bead per sound as they segment words.

Learn more: @taryns_unique_learning

33. Elkonin Boxes

Have students place one counter per Elkonin box as they segment the sounds in words on picture cards.

Learn more: @droppinknowledgewithheidi

34. Pop-it Sounds

Have students pop bubbles on a small Pop-it as they say each sound in a word.

Buy it: Mini Pop Fidget set of 30 on Amazon

35. Sound Smash

Give students balls of dough or clay to smash as they say each sound in a word.

36. Jumping Jack Words

Call out words and have students do a jumping jack for each sound. Vary the game with different movements.

37. Guess My Word: Sound Clues

Give students clues about a secret word, like "It starts with /m/ and ends in /k/ and some of you drank it for lunch" for "milk."

38. Headband Pictures: Sound Clues

Clip picture cards to student headbands. Have them give each other clues about the sounds in a word to guess their picture.

39. Nonsense Word Change

Say a nonsense word and ask students how to change it to a real word. (For example, to make "zookie" real, change the /z/ to /c/ to make "cookie.")

40. LEGO Word Change

Use LEGO bricks or interlocking cubes to build a word sound by sound. (For example, link three bricks to represent the sounds in "pat.") Then take off or add bricks to change the sounds into new words. (For example, take off the /p/ to say "at" and put a new brick for /m/ to change the word to "mat.")

What are your go-to phonological awareness and phonemic awareness activities? Let us know in the comments!

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40 Low-Prep Phonological Awareness Activities

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Set kids up for success with this mega-list of fun and easy phonological awareness activities. Syllabication, segmenting, blending, and more!

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11 Fun Activities for Boosting Phonological Awareness - Brookes Blog

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Phonological awareness—a child’s understanding of the sound structure of words—is a foundational skill that lays the groundwork for later reading success. In today’s post, we’re offering a collection of fun, low- or no-cost activities that will help you teach children the 4 components of phonological awareness: rhyming, syllable awareness, knowledge of words and sentences, and phonemic awareness.

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"C-a-t. . . . MAP!"

Ever have students who do that?

Even when students know letter sounds, they may still have trouble reading because they don't blend the sounds correctly.

The likely cause is a lack of phonological or phonemic awareness.

Phonological, Phonemic: What's the Difference?

First things first, phonological awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds in spoken words. While phonological awareness can include syllables or parts of words (ex: onset and rime), awareness deals with individual phonemes, or sounds.

For example, blending or segmenting the sounds in the word CAT is a phonemic awareness activity. Identifying the number of syllables in the word CAT is not.

They are both phonological awareness activities, but phonemic awareness is a subset of phonological awareness that deals with phonemes, or individual sounds.
So, in a nutshell:
phonological = individual sounds AND words and parts of words

phonemic = individual sounds

Children need strong phonological awareness skills in order to decode words when reading and it's important to work on these skills starting from pre-K and continuing to 1st grade and even beyond.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Grab my FREE Phonological Awareness Toolkit Here!

Phonological Awareness Activities and Games

So how can you develop these essential skills while having fun? Well, I'm glad you asked! Here is a list of phonological awareness skills and some activities and games to practice them.

Word awareness

Being able to identify discrete words. Sometimes kids have a hard time separating words in a sentence, or they may mistake syllables for words.

Have students repeat words, one at a time. Use mono- and multi-syllabic words.

Count words in a sentence.

Make a gesture after every word in a sentence (stomp, clap, sit, etc).

First, kids learn to recognize when words rhyme. It helps to point out the part that sounds the same so students know what to listen for.

Producing rhymes, or coming up with their own words that rhyme, is a more difficult skill. Scaffold by giving students the first sound and having them say the rime, then blend the word.

Read rhyming books or poems. Emphasize the first word in a rhyming pair and ask kids to call out the 2nd rhyming word.

Rhyming Riddles- "I'm thinking of a snack that rhymes with wookies...cookies!"

Rhyming Circle- Have students sit in a circle. Start by saying a word and go around the circle, asking kids to add a rhyming word to the list. Each student says the words before their turn and adds a new one! *Start with the next child for each new word.

Recognizing when words have the same beginning, ending, or middle sound.

Tongue Twisters!

Name Matching- Say a word and ask kids whose names start/ end with the same sound to stand up/ jump/ raise their hands.

Around the Room- Ask students to find something around the room that begins with the same beginning sound as their name. Or, have them find 2 objects that start/end with the same sound. This is more fun if you have a class set of plastic glasses! *TIP* Read Rosie's Glasses to teach growth mindset at the beginning of the year and gift your students these glasses, then use them throughout the year for reading, read/write around the room, and other activities that have to do with searching! I used these glasses, but I like these colorful glasses too!

Mystery Bag- Place a few items that begin with a target sound in a bag. Give children clues and see if they can guess all of the items. Take one out for each correct guess. "In this mystery bag, I have 4 items that start with /m/. The first one is white and soft, and people use it to make S'mores!"

"When I say. . . "- Say a word and have students say just the beginning/ middle/ ending sound in the word. Make it into a song! Start each with the phrase, "When I say CAT, you say (kids say /K/), CAT, /k/, CAT, /k/!" (Tribute to DJ Kool here! #iykyk)

Being able to separate an individual sound from a word. For example, isolating the beginning sound in the word MAT (/m/). Sometimes the first letter doesn't match the sound (ex: ship). Remember, we are focusing on phonemes (sounds) rather than graphemes (letter representations).

Blending

"Code Words"-One of our favorite phonological awareness games! Say the sounds in a word and have kids call out the word. This could be an item around the room, a snack kids are eating, kids' names, or words in a category, i.e; body parts. This can also be used to blend syllables or onset/ rime.

Talk "whale"- Seen Finding Nemo? It's one of my favorite movies, probably because I can relate so well to Dory's poor memory! 🤣 I also love to speak "whale" (very slowly) and have kids blend the sounds to say the word quickly. Read more about speaking whale for sounding out words here.

Blending individual sounds together to say a word.

Segmenting

Hop to it- Show a picture of an object and have kids hop for each sound. For example, show a pig, kids say /p/,/i/,/g/, hopping 3 times. In my room, we had a rug with squares so kids hopped on a new square for each sound.

Bounce to it- Same as above but bounce a ball once for each sound or syllable.

Use manipulatives- Have kids move a manipulative for each sound. For example, move counters into Elkonin boxes, smash balls of play-doh, or just make it tactile by tapping dots.

Elkonin boxes from my Phonological Awareness Bundle

The opposite of blending, segmenting is separating the sounds in a word.

Phoneme Addition: Adding a sound to the beginning or end of a word (ex: star + /t/ = start)

Phoneme Deletion: Omitting a sound (ex: start - /t/ = star)

Phoneme Substitution: Changing a sound (ex: Change the /t/ to /m/ in start = smart)

Phoneme Manipulation

Although blending and segmenting are the most popular types of phonemic awareness activities. it's helpful for kids to continue with these more are advanced skills:

The Hungry Thing by Jan Slepian is one of my favorite books for phoneme substitution! Print out the food cards from the freebie and place them on a pocket chart, then cut an oval for a dish. Ask kids to make you a breakfast plate with shmancakes, mapples, and wattles (pancakes, apples, and waffles).

It can be hard coming up with examples to use for each of the activities above, but in my Phonological Awareness Bundle, I include skill cards that can be printed or displayed on a whiteboard for whole-group practice.

If you are looking for a way to incorporate more phonological and phonemic awareness into your instruction, it's a great resource to have! Besides the skill cards, it also includes quick warm-ups you can do during your small-group reading or for whole-class practice. Each warm-up has 3 activities with lots of words to use (meant to be used across several sessions, a few words at once).

*Intervention tips for students who struggle with each task are included as well.

In addition, I made practice pages for each skill that you can use for even more practice or as quick assessments.

I don't know about you, but when I have things organized and ready-to-go, I'm much more likely to use them, so having everything in one place is a huge help!

Conclusion

Phonological awareness is one of the best predictors of reading success, so it's essential to have a plan in place for explicit instruction and plenty of practice. Using games to engage your students in practicing these skills makes learning more fun for them, and teaching more fun for you. I hope you got some ideas for implementing phonological awareness games in your classroom!

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Phonological Awareness Activities and Games to Engage Your Students

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Phonological and phonemic awareness games and activities for your kindergarten and first-grade students! Ideas for each skill.

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Phonics is one of the five essential components of the science of reading, along with phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Phonics activities help young learners break words into their constituent sounds so they build their literacy skills, bit by bit. Here are some of our favorite ways to teach these key skills.

1. Sing a phonics song

Singing songs is such a fun and effective way to learn! Kids will love to watch and sing along, and might not even realize they're learning along the way.

Learn more: 15 Phonics Songs for Kids at We Are Teachers

2. Color in the beginning sounds

Most kids start learning phonics by mastering the beginning sounds of words. Have kids color in the words that start with the matching sound on these cute and free worksheets.

Learn more: Beginning Sounds Coloring Pages at The Measured Mom

3. Use Google Slides

Google Slides has tons of fun phonics activities kids can use in the classroom or at home.

Learn more: 18 Interactive Google Slides for Teaching Phonics and Sight Words at We Are Teachers

4. Hang phonics anchor charts

When it comes to phonics, there's a lot to learn. Post anchor charts around the room to help kids remember important rules like silent E, vowel blends, and hard and soft C and G.

Learn more: 20 Perfect Anchor Charts for Teaching Phonics and Blends at We Are Teachers

5. Build words with a chart of beginning sounds

Grab this free printable chart and print out copies for your students to use with their phonics activities. There's a version for rimes too.

Learn more: Beginning Sounds Chart at This Reading Mama

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6. Learn digraphs with clip wheels

Combine fine motor skills practice with phonics work with these free beginning digraph wheels. Tip: Add small dots on the back to mark the right answers so kids can self-correct their work.

Learn more: Digraph Wheels at Playdough to Plato

7. Slap the letter sounds

Sounding out words letter by letter is a lot more fun when you slap each letter with a flyswatter! This is a great idea for active learners.

Learn more: Letter Sound Slap at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

8. Walk the word

This one will also keep active learners moving and happy! Write words in sidewalk chalk, then walk (or hop or skip) along them, sounding the word out along the way. Simple but fun!

Learn more: Gross Motor Phonics Game: Walk the Word at Coffee Cups and Crayons

9. Fill in the missing letters

This active game combines a scavenger hunt with phonics! Hide sticky notes around the room with various vowels. Then, write CVC words with the vowels missing. Have kids hunt for the missing sounds and fill them in. Fun!

Learn more: Missing Sounds Reading Activity at Busy Toddler

10. Just swap one letter

As students move from box to box, they change one letter to make the new word represented by the picture. They might need to change the first, middle, or last letter, so it's a real challenge!

Learn more: Just Swap One at This Reading Mama

11. Make magic spoons

Pick up a pack of plastic spoons at the dollar store, then use them to practice building words by combining beginning sounds with word endings.

Learn more: Activities To Teach Phonics and Math at Education to the Core

12. Toss and blend with plastic cups

Grab a stack of plastic cups and some Ping-Pong balls for this fun phonics game. Label the cups with different letter blends and set them out (tape them down if they tend to fall over). Kids toss a ball into a cup, then come up with a word that uses that letter blend to earn a point.

Learn more: Toss and Blend at Education.com

13. Flip the pages

Divide the pages of a small notebook into thirds, then write letters on each page. Flip them to form new words.

Learn more: Phoneme Substitution Activities at Tickled Pink in Primary

14. Mix and match cups to make words

If you've still got some cups left over, label them with more letters or letter blends, then use them to mix and match words. This is an especially fun way to work on CVC and sight words.

Learn more: CVC Cups at Inspired Elementary

15. Hack pool noodles into phonics tools

This has got to be one of our favorite phonics activities. Cut a pool noodle into pieces and label it with letters. Then stack and spin for learning fun!

Learn more: Pool Noodle Phonics at We Are Teachers

16. Spin and rhyme

Here's a different spin (pun intended!) on Pool Noodle Phonics. All you need is a cardboard tube, a wire pants hanger, scissors, and a marker to make this fun DIY rhyming activity.

Learn more: Spin and Rhyme at No Time for Flash Cards

17. Make some phonics cubes

Slide the free printable inserts into a set of photo cubes, then roll until you get the correct combination of letter and word ending.

Learn more: Phonics Cubes at This Reading Mama

18. Use paint stirrers to make word pull-outs

These clever phonics tools are easy to make using paint stirrer sticks and paper towel tubes. Simply slide the stick in and out to make new words!

Learn more: Word Family Pull-Out Activity at I Can Teach My Child

19. Play a flip-top phonics game

If you go through packages of wipes like most parents do, you'll appreciate this idea. Save the flip tops and use them for DIY phonics activities.

Learn more: Flip Top Phonics Games for Kids at No Time for Flash Cards

20. Use a pocket chart for phonics activities

Here's another reason teachers love pocket charts: They're great for phonics centers. Sort and match cards to practice beginning sounds, blends, short and long vowels, and so much more.

Learn more: Short A Activities and Resources at Miss Giraffe's Class

21. Compete at Blends and Digraphs Bingo

Every kid loves a good game of bingo! Snag these free printable bingo cards and use them to practice blends and digraphs.

Learn more: Blends and Digraph Bingo at The Measured Mom

22. Toss some phonics water balloons

This one almost seems too fun to count as learning! Tape up beginning sounds, then toss water balloons to complete the words.

Learn more: Water Balloon Phonics at Mess for Less

23. Race to the Top with blends and digraphs

Play this free printable game to practice consonant blends. Toss a chip onto the board and say that word out loud. Then move the counter for the correct blend up one space. First to the top wins!

Learn more: Blends and Digraphs Games at This Reading Mama

24. Try locks and keys to learn phonics

This self-correcting phonics activity is also a good way to practice fine motor skills ... and a lot of fun to boot! Label keys with beginning sounds and locks with word endings, then match them up and try the key to see if you're right.

Learn more: Unlock and Learn Game at We Are Teachers

25. Play Phonogram Connect 4

Draw a word card and find an open phonogram slot on the board. Your goal is to get four in a row!

Learn more: Phonogram Connect Four at Mrs. T's First Grade Class

26. Teach them the Soft C & G Chant

Simple little chants like this will help kids remember some of those confusing language rules. Pair it with other favorites like " I before E, except after C."

Learn more: Soft C and G at This Reading Mama

27. Mix, color, and spell

We can't get enough of games that reinforce CVC words with short vowels-it's such an important early literacy skill! Practice identifying and distinguishing between vowels by coloring in the middle sound from pictures of CVC words.

Learn more: Teaching CVC Words at Susan Jones Teaching

28. Write the Room: Digraphs

Use this fun little letter scavenger hunt to move around the room to search for pictures with digraphs. First, mark the ones you find with a dot marker and then use another sheet to write the digraphs.

Learn more: Beginning Digraphs Write the Room at ABC's of Literacy

29. Use disappearing ink for letter formation

One of the first keys to early reading success is letter identification and formation. Keep it fresh by using "disappearing ink" (aka water) so students have to trace letters multiple times to prevent them from disappearing too fast. With so few materials and such high engagement, what's not to love?

Learn more: 3 Simple Play-Based Phonics Activities at Research and Play

30. Do word sorts

Word sorts are great for comparing word patterns that make the same sound, like vowel teams. They can also help reinforce so many different phonics skills, making them the perfect activity that can be easy differentiated for learners of all stages.

Learn more: Using Word Sorts for Phonics Instruction at Mrs. Winter's Bliss

31. Roll and Read

Roll a die and read the word from the corresponding column. Play with a partner or do it solo by coloring in the words as you read them.

Learn more: Lesson 79 Roll and Read at UFLI. While you're there, check out the UFLI free lesson resources, which include decodable passages and games for almost every phonics skill!

32. Roll letter dice

A perfect DIY idea for old blocks! Use three blocks and write consonants on two of them and vowels on the other. Have some fun rolling and blending CVC words.

Learn more: DIY Phonics Games at Early Impact Learning

33. Sort syllable types

If you are teaching the different syllable types, this word sort helps students practice their knowledge of the six types and shows you what they know.

Learn more: Six-Way Syllable Sort at Florida Center for Reading Research. Also, check out the many other phonics resources available by grade level: Kindergarten and First Grade or Second and Third Grades.

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33 Fun Phonics Activities and Games for Early Readers

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Help kids learn to read with phonics activities that break words into their basic sounds, like phonemes, digraphs, diphthongs, and more.

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16 Hands-On Phonics Games for the Classroom

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This blog outlines some fantastic phonics resources and activity ideas that can be used in the classroom environment.

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I've always loved teaching phonics, but there have been many times when I couldn't come up with fun activities to pair with my otherwise engaging lessons. After years of trial and error, I've compiled a list of 20 phonics activities that have been deemed "not boring" by my own young learners. So, if you've ever found yourself in a similar position, you've come to the right place; just make sure to check out #15!

Hands-On Phonics Activities That Aren't Boring

1 - Count the Sounds

Start by grabbing some clothespins or paper clips and Count the Sound cards. For this activity, students will identify the pictures and count how many sounds are in that word by marking the correct number with a clothespin or paper clip.

2 - Play Dough Mats

All your students will need is play dough, a whiteboard marker, and laminated Alphabet Play Dough Work Mats. First, the students should identify the name/sound of the letter and form it with play dough. Then, they'll identify words that begin with the sound of the letter and practice writing it with a whiteboard marker.

This activity is perfect for small group centers and is easy to differentiate based on need. Start by setting out as many soup cans as you'd like and mixing up the picture cards. The students will take turns identifying one picture and its beginning sounds before dropping it in the can that displays the corresponding letter.

4 - Phonics Write & Wipe Puzzles

I like to use Phonics Write & Wipe Puzzles as fast finisher activities and my students love them! I recommend keeping 2-3 puzzles together and color-coding each bag based on difficulty level. For this activity, they will identify and trace the letter, digraph, or 3-letter blend found at the top of the puzzle and match the four picture cards that begin with the same sound.

5 - Dot Art

For this hands-on activity, you'll need to grab some bingo daubers (aff) and Alphabet Dot Art worksheets. The students will use their daubers to form the uppercase and lowercase versions of each letter and decorate the big picture on their page. Finally, they'll use crayons to trace the letter and color 5 mini-pictures that begin with the same sound.

Engaging Phonics Worksheets

6 - I Spy Phonics

My students love this no-prep activity so much that they even choose it as their class reward from time to time! Just print out I Spy Phonics worksheets that match your students' reading levels and you're all set. The students should be able to work independently or in groups to read the words on their list and check off items as they find the pictures that match each word.

7 - Sound Trail Printables

There are so many different ways you can incorporate Sound Trail Printables into your classroom routine. This no-prep activity increases student engagement while they master phonics skills independently! I recommend implementing this activity during morning work, small group time, mixed phonics review, or as a fast finisher activity.

8 - Phonics Poems

I always keep copies of Phonics Poems stashed away in my classroom for a rainy day. This is the perfect activity for literacy centers because you can differentiate based on the needs of each student and extend the activity by using comprehension pages.

9 - Interactive Phonics Booklets

My favorite thing about Interactive Phonics Booklets is that preparation is as simple as printing and folding! This is a great activity to introduce during independent work time because you can differentiate easily by giving students different booklets depending on their skill sets. These booklets include engaging activities like rainbow writing, phonics-based passages, and find, write, and color sections.

10 - Phonics-Based Passages

If your students are working on long and short vowels, blends, digraphs, 3-letter blends, or r-controlled vowels, they'll love Phonics-Based Passages. These activities are no-prep; just print and go! Each passage includes recording/accountability graphs and comprehension checks with fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions.

Game-Based Phonics Activities That Aren't Boring

11 - Sound Cups

All you need are some paper cups and a marker. Flip the cups upside down and write 1 letter on the bottom of each cup, making sure to include all 26. Mix and spread the cups out so that all the letters are visible and you're ready to play! This game can be played one-on-one with a student or in small groups by having the students take turns. As the teacher, you should name a person, place, or thing as your student searches for the first letter in the given word. The game will end when the student has collected all 26 cups.

This activity is exactly what it sounds like! Alphabet BINGO is perfect for practicing phonics skills. I differentiate by focusing on letter naming/identification, first sounds, middle sounds, or ending sounds.

13 - Swat the Sound/Letter

Start by writing all 26 letters on the whiteboard (in no specific order) and grab 2 fly swatters (aff). Next, clear a walkway between the whiteboard and the back of the room and split your class into two mixed ability groups. The students should make 2 lines facing the whiteboard, and each line leader should be holding a fly swatter. As you announce a person, place, or thing, the students at the front of each line will race to the whiteboard and swat the first letter of whatever word was given to them.

*Teacher Tip: If you work with older students, this activity can be modified using digraphs or trigraphs.*

14 - Four Corners

First, pick 4 letters and create a slideshow with different objects that begin with those letters in no specific order. Write each letter in the center of a large piece of paper and tape them in the four corners of your classroom. Last, ask your students to stand in the middle of the room, and you're all set to play! As you flip through the pictures in your slideshow, the students must identify each object, determine its first letter/sound, and walk to the correct corner of the room.

*Teacher Tip: Try playing with middle/ending sounds, digraphs, or trigraphs for more advanced students.*

15 - ZAP!

Grab some popsicle sticks and write 1 letter on each before placing them upside down inside a cup. Next, write "ZAP!" on 5-7 other sticks and add them to the same cup. Your students should sit in a circle, pulling popsicle sticks out of the cup and saying the name/sound of the letter they pull. If the student is correct, they get to keep the stick, but if they pull a "ZAP!" they must put all of their sticks back in the cup-the student with the most popsicle sticks when time up wins the game.
*Teacher Tip: Differentiate by creating versions of this game with CVC words, sight words, digraphs, trigraphs, etc.*

Other Phonics Activities and Resources

16 - Phonics Crowns

My kindergartners love Phonics Crowns! This is the perfect art/phonics activity to help introduce new letter sounds, blends, digraphs, and 3-letter blends. Give it a try, and your students will look forward to it every week.

17 - March Activities Packet

I recommend checking out the engaging phonics worksheets found in these K-2 March Activity Packets . Some of the activities include Rainbow Sounds, Digraph Word Searches, Color by Ending Sound, Ending Sound Picture Sort, and many more.

18 - Digital Phonics Cards

We all need engaging digital resources, and Digital Phonics Cards make the perfect skill check for the end of any phonics lesson. I like to use this as a whole group activity, first by demonstrating expectations, then selecting 3-5 volunteers to complete a card in front of the class.

19 - Sound Wall with Mouth Pictures

If you've struggled to teach phonics while wearing a mask at school, Education to the Core's new Sound Wall with real mouth pictures is a must! This sound wall will support you as you implement Science of Reading in your classroom and includes phoneme cards, mouth articulation photos, student worksheets, teaching slides, and so many other excellent resources.

20 - Phonics Interactive Notebook

If you teach kindergarten or 1st-grade teachers, you have to check out Phonics Interactive Notebooks ! I'm excited to introduce this resource at the beginning of next year, so my students have comprehensive notebooks covering all the major phonics skills and concepts we cover throughout the year.

Mastering phonics skills is a massive part of learning to read, so we have to make it as fun and engaging as possible. As teachers, we know the best learning opportunities happen when the students don't feel like they're learning at all, so kick those old, boring phonics worksheets to the curb! If you have a go-to activity that didn't make our list, be sure to share it with us in the comments.

Written by - Madison Patten

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20 Phonics Activities That Aren't Boring

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I've always loved teaching phonics, but there have been many times when I couldn't come up with fun activities to pair with my otherwise engaging lessons.

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27 Phonics Activities for Middle Schoolers - Teaching Expertise

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Teaching phonics to middle schoolers can sometimes be challenging since this is a skill usually taught at a younger age. Engage your middle school students

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Teaching Oral Reading Fluency to Older Students

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Oh goodness, everybody’s least favorite topic (except maybe Tim Rasinski’s). What I’m talking about is fluency instruction/practice for older students … grades 4 and up, let’s say.

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Learning to read starts kids on a lifelong learning journey, but literacy is more than just understanding the words on a page. Reading fluency involves comprehension, speed, accuracy, and prosody (reading with expression). There are many ways to help kids develop reading fluency, both in and out of the classroom. Here are some of our favorite reading fluency activities.

1. Start with a reading fluency anchor chart

Introduce the basics of reading fluency with an anchor chart you can hang in the classroom. It's a good reference for kids throughout the year. Here are more fluency anchor charts to try.

Learn more: Oral Reading Fluency/Teaching With a Mountain View

2. Model fluency with read-alouds

Reading aloud to kids is important for so many reasons, but one of the best is that it teaches kids what fluency sounds like. Adults can model expression, phrasing, pace, and so much more when they read to kids. Try some of our favorite read-alouds, or check out this list of the best read-alouds on YouTube as part of your reading center activities.

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3. Hang reading fluency posters

Post these in your classroom reading center to remind kids what reading fluency really means. They're simple but effective. Get your free set of reading fluency posters here.

4. Try sentence trees

Sentence trees are terrific reading activities that build fluency in younger students. They allow kids to focus on each word, improving accuracy and speed along the way.

Learn more: Sentence Trees/Fun in First

5. Put together poems and nursery rhymes

Kids often memorize nursery rhymes long before they learn to read. By breaking those rhymes apart into individual words and putting them back together again, kids see how words build into sentences and stories in a natural flow.

Learn more: Fluency To Improve Comprehension/Mrs. Winter's Bliss

6. Use line tracking and word pointers

For some kids, focus is a challenge. Their eyes wander around the page, and they have trouble developing the speed needed for fluency. Use another piece of paper to help them focus on the line they're reading, or try pointing to the words one by one.

Learn more: Reading With Fluency/Katelyn's Learning Studio

7. Read and reread ... and reread

Fluency involves lots and lots of reading and rereading. When kids read a passage over and over again, they build up their speed and accuracy automatically. One fun way to work on expression is to try rereading with different voices.

Learn more: Improve Reading Comprehension/Teach123

8. Add a timer to rereading

Combine repeated reading with a timer. Students read a passage for 1 minute, working to increase the number of words they read correctly each time. This is a nice tool for working on speed and accuracy.

Learn more: Build Reading Fluency/1st Grade Pandamania

9. Track student progress

While you don't want to overemphasize numbers, tracking a student's fluency is helpful to both you and them. Parents can help with this one at home too.

Learn more: Reading With Fluency/Katelyn's Learning Studio

10. Work on those sight words

One of reasons elementary readers focus so much on sight words is that they help to build reading fluency. Find a roundup of all our favorite sight word activities here.

11. Look to punctuation for expression cues

Punctuation makes passages easier to read, but it also gives a reader cues on proper expression. Help your kids recognize what each punctuation mark sounds like when reading fluently.

Learn more: Teaching Expression in Fluency/The Owl Teacher

12. Answer the fluency phone

These are such a fun tool for helping kids really hear themselves read! They're great for busy classrooms and reading centers. Kids talk softly into the phone, and the sound is amplified in their ear. You can buy fluency phones or make them yourself from PVC pipe.

Learn more: Fluency To Improve Reading Comprehension/Mrs. Winter's Bliss

13. Read with partners

Whether kids are reading together or you pair an adult helper with a student, taking turns reading is a terrific way to get more fluent. When one reader is stronger, have them read the passage first and have the other reader echo it back.

Learn more: Ways To Improve Reading Fluency/The Measured Mom

14. Get a reading buddy

Shy kids will especially appreciate the chance to practice reading out loud to a stuffed animal pal. Encourage them to read as if their fuzzy friend can hear everything they're saying.

Learn more: Ways To Use Stuffed Animals in the Classroom/Stories by Storie

15. Give kids a reading fluency rubric

Use this free printable rubric when evaluating students' reading fluency, or send it home for parents. Kids can even use it to self-evaluate!

Learn more: Reading Fluency Is Not Just About Speed/Teacher Thrive

16. Use a fluency bookmark

A handy bookmark keeps fluency strategies front and center when kids read. We love this idea for kids who are ready for chapter books.

Learn more: Focusing on Fluency/Upper Elementary Snapshots

17. Introduce the concept of scooping phrases

Pointing to words is good for building speed and accuracy, but scooping phrases takes things to the next level. This practice is a great help for developing expression and comprehension.

Learn more: Reading Fluency Phrasing/This Reading Mama

18. Hold a school-wide fluency challenge

Make literacy and reading fluency something the whole school focuses on. Have PE teachers post sight words for kids to read out when they run past. Invite cafeteria workers to join you for story time. Track fluency and celebrate milestones with individual and whole-school rewards! Learn more about holding a school-wide fluency challenge here.

19. Set up buddy reading

Pair older students with younger students to practice and model reading fluency. Older students can read picture books, which have longer sentences and higher vocabulary that challenge older students but are still out of reach for younger students. The older students will get practice with fluency, and younger students will benefit from hearing picture books read aloud.

20. Use highlighter strips

Highlighter strips, bright tape-like strips that students can use to follow along as they read longer books, can help upper elementary students keep their place. And keeping their place helps them read fluently.

Buy it: Highlighter Strips at Amazon

21. Teach robot vs. non-robot reading

Help students understand the prosody or expression part of fluency with a lesson on robot reading vs. fluent reading. Have students practice (silly) robot reading and then fluent reading to hear (and feel) the difference.

Learn more: Arlene Neubarth/Pinterest

22. Put on a play

Readers theater, with a script or a favorite book, is one way to practice fluent reading. Choose a book with lots of dialogue and encourage students to really feel the story.

23. Use the BEST strategy for multisyllabic word reading

When students get to multisyllabic words, they may struggle to get past longer words like "momentarily" and "topography." Teach them a strategy to sound out longer words:

Break the word apart into syllables.

Examine each part.

Say each part.

Try the whole word.

24. Host a poetry jam

Poetry is a great way to practice fluent reading, and it can be used at any grade level. For younger kids, work with simple poems and rhymes. For older children, use poems from Shel Silverstein or Jack Pruletsky. Have each child choose a poem and practice reading it with flare, then host a poetry jam where students read the poems they've practiced.

Learn more: Poetry Cafe/School and the City

25. Record students' reading

Recording audiobooks for your classroom library is one way for students to see how fluent reading benefits everyone. Have students record reading a book on an audio recording app, and save it for other teachers to use with their students.

Learn more: Fluency Activities for Your First Grader/Reading Rockets

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25 Fantastic Reading Fluency Activities To Build Literacy in Young Readers

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Help kids improve their reading fluency with these fun activities and center ideas that cover a wide range of proven strategies.

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At the end of the day, teaching reading fluency is all about helping students towards deeper comprehension. If students can't read fluently, they will struggle to understand what it is they are reading. Therefore, we cannot ignore this crucial part of literacy. Here are 20 activities designed to help all your learners develop their reading fluency in your classroom.

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20 Reading Fluency Activities to Help all Learners - Teaching Expertise

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At the end of the day, teaching reading fluency is all about helping students towards deeper comprehension. If students can't read fluently, they will struggle to understand what it is they are reading. Therefore, we cannot ignore this crucial part of literacy. Here are 20 activities designed to help all your learners develop their reading ...

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21 Reading Fluency Activities Your Students Will Love!

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These 21 hands on and engaging reading fluency activities will help your students become better readers while still having fun!

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30 Meaningful Vocabulary Activities for Every Grade

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Learning new words is like adding to your writing toolbox.

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Vocabulary is not only the foundation and key element to learning any language but also an important tool in learning other subjects as well. As a teacher, searching for fun and meaningful ways to improve the children's vocabulary in any field is an essential task. And, while traditional lesson plans for teaching vocabulary are the starting-point, vocabulary games are becoming more and more valuable.

To help you out, we decided to find and share some of the best vocabulary games for the classroom. First, we'll take a look at the benefits of using vocabulary games in a typical school environment, and then we'll list our favorite vocabulary games with detailed explanations on how to implement them, and how the students will benefit.

Benefits of Vocabulary Games

Without a solid vocabulary in their native language, children will read slower, have a hard time understanding complex sentences, won't be able to express themselves in a clear manner, and might even have trouble organizing their thoughts and memorizing new concepts.

A young mind learns new words by developing a mental network that builds elaborate ideas hierarchically. This is why using newly learned words frequently is the best way to reinforce that mental network and make new connections.

Vocabulary games are perfect for that task, as they provide a communicative atmosphere where children can express themselves. But the popularity of using vocabulary games in a classroom goes beyond that.

Vocabulary games provide a fun-filled and relaxing learning atmosphere. Learning can be stressful for kids who are anxious when answering in front of authority or in front of their classmates, which is why learning through games is a wonderful opportunity. Plus, you'll get a chance to evaluate the children's progress in a spontaneous setting.

Another reason why vocabulary games are so beneficial is that they're unpredictable. Instead of memorizing a certain word order, or several definitions, children will have to actively construct the answers from previous knowledge.

10 Interactive Vocabulary Games for the Classroom

Games are challenging, motivating, and amusing. This means that most of the time, children will be learning new words or reinforcing newly acquired knowledge, without even realizing it. Here are some easy-to-implement, fun, and meaningful vocabulary games for the classroom.

Guess the Word

You might know this game under the name "Who am I?" where players use yes or no questions to get clues about a person or fictional character that the other player has in mind or has written on a piece of paper. Our "Guess the word" variation works the same way, except children have to guess which word is written on the piece of paper that's attached to the child's forehead.

You can play this game with a time limit or not, depending on how hard you want to make it for the kids.

To play, divide the classroom into four or five groups of four to five children. After this, instruct the children in the group to come up with a word on a specific topic (something they've recently learned). Each member of the group should write a word on a piece of paper attached to the forehead of the member on their left (without them knowing what word they got). After this, one by one, students take turns asking yes or no questions (example: Is my word a verb?), trying to guess the words on their forehead.

Memory Cards - Vocabulary Edition

This game works just like a regular memory card game. The only difference is that children will have to match words with their meanings, instead of two identical objects. Aside from practicing their memory skills, children will have to quickly recall the word when seeing the definition and remember it so they can match it once they find the appropriate word in the cards.

To play this game, you can divide children into small groups, or let them play in partner-groups. The player that matches most cards wins the game.

For practicing English skills, you can buy word cards online. However, if you want to personalize the game and make it much more effective, you can make your own cards with words that children have recently learned in science, math, geography, history, and other subjects.

Word cards and matching definition-cards.

Explain This! - Lightning Rounds

Lightning rounds are super fun and adrenaline-packed games or contests where children, especially hyperactive ones, will get a lot of excitement and laughs. This game is most suited for topics that children are well familiar with.

To play, you'll need to divide the classroom into two groups. After this, one player from each group comes forward and competes in defining most words in a specific time limit (one or two minutes). The words can be drawn from a bowl, or as a teacher, you can pick the words, while the players try to define them. The player who succeeds in defining more words wins a point for their group.

To make it more fun, you can make categories from which the players can choose a topic.

An extensive list of words.

Pieces of paper and bowl (alternative).

Vocabulary Jeopardy

This is a game that the whole classroom can enjoy, or you can divide students into two or three groups. Just like the classical and famous Jeopardy game, our vocabulary version is just as fun and challenging.

To play, draw a table on the whiteboard, with different categories as rows and the points as columns. The word cards should be taped on the board facing down. This means that the players can choose a category and the number of points they would want to receive, and they'll receive a word. More points mean the words are harder to define. Alternatively, you can choose to make different answers for a different amount of points; one point for telling a synonym, two points for spelling a word, and three points for defining a word. The group with the most points wins.

Vocabulary Dice Game

While some games depend entirely on the children's knowledge or memory skills, this simple vocabulary game adds the element of luck, which means anything is possible. It's a wonderful game because it evens out the field to a certain point, so children who have a harder time learning new words won't feel too far behind the overachievers.

To play, you need to divide students into small groups or play in partner-groups. Give each group a dice and a stack of word cards. Players roll the dice and draw a card. If they can correctly define the word (if given a definition - to guess the word), they receive points according to the number on the rolled dice. Time for answering should be limited so it's more challenging and fun. If the answer is wrong, the student gets zero points in that round.

Dice (two or more, depending on the number of groups).

Word cards.

Vocabulary Checkers

Everyone's familiar with regular checkers, but did you know there's a vocabulary version that's just as popular? Vocabulary checkers is much more stimulating, challenging, and exciting.

To play, you'll need a special vocabulary checkerboard, which is just like the regular board, only with blank spaces in the middle of each field that you can fill out with words. The spaces can be predetermined, with words of your choosing, or you could give students the opportunity to write the words themselves (for the opponent player). The added challenge comes with the fact that a player can only move or occupy the square if they correctly define the written word in that square.

Other than that, the rules are the same as a regular game of checkers. To take an opponent's piece, they must say 3 synonyms of the written word or use it in a sentence (since the word is already defined by the opponent).

Checkerboard and pieces.

Printable vocabulary checkerboard.

Vocabulary Pictionary

In our vocabulary edition, we don't make a strict distinction between Pictionary or Charades, because the rules can be flexible - the main aim is to have fun and go through a lot of vocabulary words.

To play, you need to divide the classroom into two groups and assign a topic. One member from each group has to come forward and describe a word or a phrase to its group. The words are given to the players by the opposite group. Whichever team guesses correctly first, gets a point. If both groups fail to guess the words in a specific time frame, neither group gets a point, and new players get new words to describe.

In order to make it more educational, you can set some specific rules. For example, players need to use a synonym, define the meaning, or use descriptive sentences. They shouldn't use clues like the number of letters in the word or point to clues without using words.

Two whiteboards and markers, or

School board and chalk.

Conversation Competition

The conversation competition is probably one of the most advanced vocabulary games, which means it might be more suitable for middle schoolers or even high school students. The main goal of this game is to improve the children's ability to publicly speak, debate, and construct better sentences.

To play, divide the students into pairs. After this, one pair comes forward to compete. As the teacher, you'll give one of the students a list of 10-20 vocabulary words one minute before speaking. Their task is to analyze the words and share a logical, meaningful story with their partner using the words from the list. Their partner (not knowing the words) can ask questions, or reply with their own opinions, which can help the other student use the words faster, or make it that much harder. Once they use all of the words, they sit down and another pair comes forward. The teacher should measure the time for each conversation and the pair that uses all the words in the shortest time wins.

Word lists (for each pair).

Word Train

This vocabulary game teaches children the importance of individual effort for the success of the whole group.

To play, divide the blackboard into two sections, left and right, and write 20-30 vocabulary words in each section. After this, divide the class into two groups and make them form a line (each group in a separate line). Upon your instruction, the first student from each group approaches the board (each in their separate section) and chooses a word for the student behind them to define. Once the second student defines the word correctly, the first student erases the word and goes at the back of the line, while the second student comes to the board and chooses a word for the third in line. The first group that manages to erase all the words in their section wins.

Chalk or marker.

Eraser.

A list of vocabulary words.

Newspaper Detectives

Give each student one page of a newspaper and a vocabulary word. The students should circle every word, phrase, picture, or name that relates to their vocabulary word. After five or ten minutes, each student should present their findings in front of the class - tell them the vocabulary word and explain how the marked words relate to the word. The student that has the most valid and meaningful connections, wins the game.

This is also a more advanced game suited for middle school students or older. It's a multi-purpose game where children work on their reading, analytical and critical skills, as well as their creativity. They'll improve their vocabulary, not just by reading, but by actively thinking about new connections between words, and listening to their classmates.

Before You Leave

Hopefully, you liked our list of vocabulary games for the classroom and we guarantee your students will love them. We made sure the games are very easy to implement, don't require too much set-up time, and can be adapted to large and small groups, as well as partner groups.

Also, most of the games are simple variations of famous and classic party or family games, which, most likely, children will already be familiar with. This is going to make things a lot easier, as they'll feel comfortable and ready to start playing. But, even if they're not familiar, the games are so simple that kids of all ages can enjoy them.

Last but not least, vocabulary games are just one way to engage children in classroom activities, but if you want to find more, check out our blog and subscribe to our newsletter. We can also cover you with educational, interactive worksheets for any subject or grade.

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10 Interactive Vocabulary Games for the Classroom

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Teaching vocabulary in a fun and innovative way is crucial, which is why we share with you 10 interactive vocabulary games for the classroom.

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I'm sharing 21 ideas for teaching vocabulary. You may not be able to use all of them, but I hope you can find some ideas that will work well for you!

I've shared books about vocabulary instruction, as well as the theory and techniques. This post is a lot more practical. We're all about ideas today!

I'm sharing the bare bones of the ideas here.

I'm adding lengthier explanations for some of them with more tips and fleshed-out instructions on my website devoted just to vocabulary instruction, VocabularyLuau.

You'll see that option at the end of the idea if it's available.

IDEA #1: Semantic Maps

In this activity, the teacher chooses a word and displays it for the class on a whiteboard, etc.

Students read the word and then think of words that come to mind when they see that word (this is awesome because it activates prior learning).

A list is created of all of the words that come to mind, and then those words are categorized.

This can be done as a whole class or in small groups.

Students then create a "map" using a graphic organizer and discuss it. Additional or substitute categories can be suggested.

As students read through the text, they can add related words to the map.

Want more details on this strategy? Get the step-by-step on VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #2: Eye Spy

Give students a list of words to search for in a text or have them find unfamiliar words.

You can award points to the words based on different criteria (longest new word, word with most consonants, etc.).

Invest in a set of inexpensive dollar store magnifying glasses to make this more game-like.

This is a great pre-reading activity.

Want more details on this strategy? Get the step-by-step on VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #3: Making Choices

Students show their understanding of vocabulary by saying the word when it applies, or remaining silent when it doesn't.

For example: "Say radiant if any of these things would make someone look radiant."
-Winning a million dollars.
-Earning a gold medal.
-Walking to the post office.
-Cleaning your room.
-Having a picture you painted hung in the school library.

(This idea is from the book Bringing Words to Life, recommended in the books section.)

This is one of the key strategies teachers need in introducing new vocabulary. Because of that, I've written extensively and given a dozen examples from different texts for Kinder through 12th grade on VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #4: Sorting Hat

Use a Harry Potter theme to have students sort words into categories. They can pull them out of a hat.

If you give them the categories, it's called a "closed sort." If they come up with their own categories, it's called "open sort."

This one is so, so fun. I explain lots more about how to do it on VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #5: Word Pairs

Give students words in pairs and have them evaluate if the words are the same, opposite, go together, or are unrelated.

This strategy is terrific for building critical thinking skills along with the vocabulary.

Get even more details and variations at VocabularyLuau.

(adapted from Word Power: What Every Educator Needs to Know about Teaching Vocabulary)

IDEA #6: Linear Array

In this strategy, students use a graphic organizer that is a rectangle, three ovals, and then another rectangle, all in a line.

The word in question goes in the rectangle on the far left.

The rectangle on the far right is filled in with a word that is the opposite.

The center three ovals are filled in with words that go from the far left to the far right, gradually become less similar until they reach the opposite.

For example, microscopic, tiny, small, bigger, large.

You can see examples of the graphic organizer, more details, and lots of variations on VocabularyLuau.

(adapted from Words, Words, Words: Teaching Vocabulary in Grades 4 - 12)

IDEA #7: Games

Many "real" games work well for vocab play and practice. Games such as Balderdash, , , , Bananagrams, word bingo, and others are fun.

There are online games as well, such as Scholastic's Synonym Toast.

[Note: I am a notoriously horrible Scrabble player, and every time I play I think, "English teachers should be better at this." It's not my favorite.]

IDEA #8: Scavenger Hunt

Have a word scavenger hunt in books, magazines, articles on the net, or in the school or home.

Don't just go for numbers; go for unusual words, academic vocabulary, weird spellings, homophones, etc.

Want more details on this strategy? Get the step-by-step on VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #9: Word Wheel

Copy and paste this image onto a sheet of cardstock and make a vocab spinner game. EisforExplore shares the whole idea here.

Want more details on this strategy? Get the step-by-step on VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #10: Vocabulary Photo Album

Using a simple, inexpensive photo album, students create a visual glossary of key words.

I've got pictures of examples, details, and more ideas at VocabularyLuau, if you'd like to read more.

IDEA #11: Tally

Use tally marks to track words you're trying to practice.

Mark whenever the teacher says the word in context, and mark twice when a student does.

Alternatively, you can have the tally marks be even, but play the teacher versus the class.

There's so much more to this strategy. Learn more about how tally marks can help you teach vocabulary at VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #12: Vocabulary Relay

Print out words on one set of cards (copy this set a few times) and definitions, context, or sentences in which they could be used (fill-in-the-blank) on another set (just one set).

Jumble up the words in a pile in the middle of the floor, and jumble up the definitions, context, and sentences to keep with you. Break students into teams of five-ish.

Call out the definition/context/sentence and give students some think time (8 - 10 seconds) to talk about what word it might be.

After the discussion time, call out "Word!" One member from each team runs to the center and tries to find the word in the pile.

I like having multiple sets of the words so more than one team can get it.

Check to make sure they're correct, and then discuss it briefly before the next round.

Note: I got this idea from another teacher's site, but I cannot for the life of me remember where. I have searched Google for it, and can't find it. A small prize to the person who can figure out the originator of the idea!

I've written quite a bit about it here, but I've written more (and have lots of pictures of it in play) at VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #13: Vocabulary Category Relay

This is a different relay activity than the one above, even though the names are so similar.

In this version, teams of students race to fill in words responsive to a category that start with the letters of the alphabet in order.

This can be done individually, in groups, or even as a whole class. It's also a good one for both digital and in-person instruction.

When I wrote about it on VocabularyLuau, I shared these score sheets for digital use, as well as printable versions.

IDEA #13: Comic Strip Word Activity

I got the idea for using comic strips from This Reading Mama.

In some ways, it's really a modified Frayer model.

I loved it so much that I started making them like crazy. It turns out that they let me get a clear glimpse into how well the students had mastered the word.

I have an entire article about this, filled with loads of ideas and resources at VocabularyLuau.

You can check out that article here (or click the image below).

IDEA #14: Paper Plate Vocab

I love this inexpensive matching game from Finding Joy in Fifth Grade, and I think students could create it themselves.

IDEA #15: Heads Up Vocabulary Game

Students hold a word on a card in front of their foreheads. The students don't know what words they have.

Students ask each other a series of questions to determine the meaning of their word. Or, students can give students clues to the person with the word to help that person guess the word.

This is a review activity, and it's not for initial instruction.

It's such a favorite that I wrote a very comprehensive article about it on VocabularyLuau. There's even a hack for printing on Post-it notes!

IDEA #16: Word Sneak

Word Sneak is a game invented by Jimmy Fallon that he plays with guests on the Tonight Show.

In the game, Jimmy and the guest each get a stack of cards with words on them that they have to work into the conversation naturally (without sounding forced or stilted).

It's hysterical to watch and fun to play.

It's also a great way to learn different ways to approach a word.

It's so much fun that when I wrote the article about in on VocabularyLuau, I also included a Tonight Show backdrop you can use in class to give it an even more "real" feel.

IDEA #17: Frayer Model

The Frayer Model is an oldie-but-goodie vocab activity model in which student work in multiple ways in a specifically laid out graphic organizer to engage with words.

This is such a must-know that I wrote a (very lengthy and detailed) plan for how to use it at VocabularyLuau.

It includes downloads and printables and digital versions, as well as exactly how (and why) to use this strategy.

If you are not familiar with it, please do yourself a solid and read more.

IDEA #18: Tweet

Have students create a "tweet" that a word would send out or with the word in the tweet in context.

You can use a tool like PrankmeNot or Siminator to make it look real.

This strategy is so fun and so useful!

I've written about five different ways to do this (with examples) on VocabularyLuau, and I even have this free template for you there:

IDEA #19: Brain Power Words

This is a strong academic vocabulary activity that takes a little bit of time, but would really help get the words past the superficial level of understanding.

Ask small groups of students to preview sections of a text and identify difficult words.

For long chapters, assign different sections to different groups.

Students place a Post-it next to the words in the text they identify as potentially difficult.

After identifying the words, the group goes back and uses context clues to hypothesize what the words might mean.

Clues of substitution: A known word would make sense in the context and is probably a good definition.

Clues of definition: The word is defined in the text (many textbooks do this).

Clues of opposition: Words "not, unlike" etc. are excellent clues to what a word is not and thus help define the words.

After the Brain Power Words list is identified and definitions sought, the students check their work with the teacher.

This strategy is from Becky McTague and Margaret Richek (it's in the book Reading Success for Struggling Adolescent Learners by Susan Lenski and Jill Lewis).

IDEA #20: The Concept Cube

A concept cube is a pattern that is printed on paper or cardstock, cut out, folded, and taped into a three-dimensional cube.

Students write, type, or draw on the pattern prior to assembling the cube, and then they "play" with the cube to explore concepts.

Depending upon the way you choose to use it, they can be similar to a three-dimensional Frayer model.

You can print out a blank cube and have students print the responses below, or complete it online and then print it out.

Before folding, students write clearly in each square following the directions below.

Each student is given one challenging vocabulary word from a recent reading and asked to:

Write the assigned vocabulary word in one square.

Write a synonym (word or phrase) in another square.

Write an antonym (word or phrase) in another square.

Write a category or categories it could belong to.

Write the essential characteristics of the concept of this word.

Give one example.

Cut, fold, and tape the cube.

Roll the cube and read what comes up on the "top"; the student must tell the relationship of that word or phrase to the original word.

After students know their own cube without any errors, they exchange with a peer.

You can get more ideas and details, as well as a free printable, at VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #21: Phone a Friend

Search TeacherspayTeachers or Teachers Notebook for vocabulary activities you can use or adapt.

The beauty of this is that you can search by grade level and subject, so you can focus on what you're studying.

A caveat to this is that if you create something grade level or content specific, you can share it with other teachers, too.

The Importance of a Variety of Activities

You want to have a variety of activities so that vocabulary instruction doesn't become routine or boring.

Keeping it fresh with lots of different ways of learning will help students (and the teacher) avoid getting burned out or tired of working with vocabulary.

There's been so much interest in this that I created an entire website just for vocab ideas called VocabularyLuau.

These 21 activities for teaching vocabulary are just a start. I'd love to know your ideas!

The Vocabulary Series

This post is Part 3 of a four-part series on teaching vocabulary. If you would like to check out the rest of the series, visit the posts below

There's even a great book for teaching vocabulary!

These ideas work for all vocabulary words.

If your students need to learn vocabulary words and terms that are specific to your content (words like acute angle or latitude or simile or biome), have I got a book for you!

You know how I know it's great? I wrote it! I wrote it for teachers just like you from the method I created in my own class with my own students and tested over and over.

You can learn more about it by clicking on the picture of it, or you can read more and see loads of examples here.

If you already know you want it, you can grab a paperback version on Amazon.

Or, if you want a digital copy, you can use the coupon code GIFTEDGURU for 20% off you can...

Grab your copy

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If so, I share them in my email o' goodness that goes out about once a month to thousands of people just like you.

You can sign up here (it's free).

Note: This content uses referral links. Read my disclosure policy (it's fascinating) for more info.

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21 Ideas for Teaching Vocabulary in the Classroom

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Looking for ideas for teaching vocabulary? Here are 21 activities for teaching vocabulary in the classroom, along with links to other sources and ideas.

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Seven Strategies to Teach Students Text Comprehension

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Comprehension strategies are conscious plans — sets of steps that good readers use to make sense of text. Comprehension strategy instruction helps students become purposeful, active readers who are in control of their own reading comprehension. These seven strategies have research-based evidence for improving text comprehension.

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The interactive think aloud is a strategy to use in reading comprehension where the teacher literally thinks aloud, allowing the students to see and hear him or hear monitor comprehension. This strategy shows students how skilled readers think--- allow students to see how a good reader activates prior knowledge, asks questions, and draws conclusions.

In the interactive think aloud, it is important to describe why you are using this strategy to your students. Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis, authors of Strategies that Work: Teaching Comprehension for Understanding and Engagement write about this. "Too often, we model our kids without letting them in on the purpose of our demonstration. To counter that, before we begin the lesson, we ask our kids to watch us carefully as we model our thinking and notice what we do as readers. After our demonstration, we ask them to share what they noticed us doing. This focuses their attention, gives them an opportunity to participate, and increases their engagement" (2007).

Mimi Miller, author of Literacy in Context: Choosing Instructional Strategies to Teach Reading in Content Areas for Students in Grades 5-12, describes the benefits this strategy offers. "The goal is for students to watch the proficient reader model this strategy, then practice while the teacher guides them, until the students eventually gain control over their own comprehension. When they are ready, they will be able to engage in self-monitoring as they independently attempt to understand challenging text" (2011).

To be the most effective while using this strategy, follow the guidelines and tips below.

Before teaching, carefully read the text

All students should have a copy of the text that is being used

The teacher should model how to deal with the structure of the text, unfamiliar vocabulary, and new concepts.

Teacher should model making connections, asking questions, and sharing thoughts.

In this video, an early elementary teacher is shown modeling her reading and thinking. Students interact with the teacher, answering questions and giving ideas.

In this video, Rick Kleine is shown working with his 5th grade students. Rick narrates the video, describing why he does what he does, and models specific reading strategies for his students.

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The interactive think aloud is a strategy to use in reading comprehension where the teacher literally thinks aloud, allowing the students to see and hear him or hear monitor comprehension. This...

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By the third grade, most students are really starting to get the hang of reading. They are enthusiastic readers, with preferences for particular themes and genres and opinions about everything they read. Here are 18 third grade reading comprehension activities that will help them dig deeper into what they're reading and build skills to carry them to the next level.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Build a Comprehension Cootie Catcher

Turn reading comprehension into a fun game with these free cootie catchers. There are three different versions available, and each has questions that will help your students dig deeper into their reading. Each cootie catcher tackles elements of third grade reading comprehension like character, plot, setting, problem, and solution, and the questions are general enough that they can be used with any book.

Learn more: The Classroom Game Nook

2. Practice determining importance

Have you ever asked a student to summarize a story, only to hear them include every little detail? Or maybe they only retell a small part of the text, excluding important characters or events. What these readers need to learn is to discriminate between what is and what isn't important. And in order to do this, they must sort through the actions and/or information they've read and decide on their importance. This is where graphic organizers come in. Check out the blog below for two effective lessons on determining importance.

Learn more: This Reading Mama

3. Play a round of Roll and Retell

One of the best ways to help students build comprehension is giving them a chance to talk about what they've read. This is a fun game to play, and all you need is a pair of dice. Students can pair up and share information with one another about what they've read. Or they can work solo and roll the dice and write out their answers.

Learn more: Home School Giveaways

4. Practice inferring with wordless books

Wordless picture books are great for making inferences. Use this free graphic organizer along with wordless picture books. On the graphic organizer, students describe what they noticed in the illustration and what they were able to infer from that illustration. Students could practice on their own or work with a partner or small group. Have each student or group use a different book or use the same book and then compare the inferences.

Learn more: Ashleigh's Education Journey

5. Make a paper chain of connections

Good readers make connections as they read. Track your students' connections with this engaging visual activity from Brooke at Literacy in Focus. First, students write their connections on colored strips of paper (each type of connection is made on a different color). Next, students link up their connections and attach them to the corresponding text-connections label or poster (see the example bulletin board at the link below). Links can be added throughout the year as new texts are read. The link-up activity makes a great visual representation of the entire text-connections process.

Learn more: Literacy in Focus

6. Use story maps

Story maps give students a framework to record their thinking before, during, and after reading. From spider webs and stars to Venn diagrams and shaped maps, there are endless formats of story maps available online. Try the 15 free versions below.

Learn more: Education.com

7. Build inference skills

Check out this blog for eight fun activities to build students' inference skills, including watching short films, reading wordless books, and using picture task cards.

Learn more: The Teacher Next Door

8. Summarize using basic signal words

As students read a text, they keep track of words that answer the questions who, what, when, where, how, and why by writing them on a sticky note. After they write the words, they attach their sticky notes to a record sheet. Once they finish their note taking, they summarize the story using their notes.

Learn more: This Reading Mama

9. Bat around a beach ball

Using a Sharpie marker, write different questions for students to answer about the book they are reading. Hit different elements such as character, problem and solution, setting, connections, predictions, etc. Kids will have a blast batting the inflatables around as they build comprehension skills.

Learn more: Conversations in Literacy

10. Run a nonfiction relay race

According to instructor Clio Stearns, Ph.D., "Kinesthetic games allow third graders to put their bodies to use alongside their minds and can be particularly helpful for students who do not like to sit still or who benefit from multi-sensory approaches to learning."

One of her ideas for boosting reading comprehension is to run a nonfiction relay race. This activity is great after reading a nonfiction book or article together. Break students into teams and head to the gym or outdoors. Set up a racecourse, for instance 100 yards marked off by flags or one lap around the track. The first student on each team will run the course, and once they return, and before the next student in line can run, they must repeat one fact they learned from the reading. The first team to have all runners complete the course wins.

Learn more: First Cry Parenting

11. Hold a Book Character Day

Kids love Book Character Day! It gives them a chance to show how much they really know about one of their favorite characters. Encourage them to dress as their character and carry props that are part of their story. Maybe they'd even like to act like and talk in the voice of their character. Be sure to set aside time for each student to tell their classmates about the character they chose and why.

Learn more: Shann Eva's Blog

12. Retell a story with rock painting

Take a classic childhood art project-rock painting-and add a story for a creative, engaging third grade reading comprehension project. In this activity, children will read a book, then retell the story with pictures they have painted on stones.

Learn more: Education.com

13. Play a board game

There are many fun board games for the classroom that boost literacy skills, including Scrabble, Story Cubes, Tall Tales, Hedbanz, and more. Try this fun option, which has three different board games that students can play to boost their reading comprehension. Put it on your classroom wish list!

Buy it: Comprehension Board Game Trio on Amazon

14. Make a game show of it

Try a fun game show-style class game for third grade reading comprehension. It's easy to play a Jeopardy-style game, interactive tic-tac-toe, or a team game where students buzz in with the answer. (Check out these fun game show buzzers on Amazon.) Divide students into teams, then ask comprehension questions by topic or just randomly. Give teams time to talk about the answer before sharing it. This allows students to learn from each other, explain their thinking, and prove their answers.

Learn more: A Love of Teaching

15. Track your thinking with sticky notes

According to Home Reading Helper, one great way for students to remember and internalize what they read is by using sticky notes. Using these symbols as a guide, students place a sticky note with the appropriate symbol next to a line in a book to show their thinking as they read.

Learn more: RB Comprehension Strategies

16. Be a word detective

We can teach inferring for a variety of purposes. Students can infer how a character feels or why they behave in a certain way. They can even infer the theme of a book. This engaging activity focuses on inferring the meanings of unfamiliar words. Using the free download, students pick out "mystery words," make a guess as to what the word means, identify clues, and write a sentence using the word.

Learn more: The Measured Mom

17. Create anchor charts together

From marking a text to visualizing to understanding a character's journey, there's a comprehension anchor chart for it. There are more than 35 colorful samples for you to build along with your students during direct instruction time.

Learn more: Reading Comprehension Anchor Charts

18. Make "wanted" posters

Your kids will love this fun writing and drawing activity that demonstrates their understanding of character development. After reading a story, kids will use what they know about the bad guy in a book to create a wanted poster.

Learn more: Education.com and Happy Teacher Happy Students

Looking for more ways to encourage third grade reading comprehension? Check out our list of 60 best third grade books.

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18 Unique Third Grade Reading Comprehension Activities Your Students Will Love

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From character tag to short films and more, these third grade reading comprehension activities will boost your students' literacy skills.