Have fun while improving fluency with this great game that can be adapted for a wide range of ability levels. The target skill is blending, a difficult stage of phonemic development for some students. There are 3 sets with ten boards and 25 illustrated word cards in each set. The illustrated cards are ideal for intervention and will benefit second language learners and those students who need an extra level of support for whatever reason.

WORDS USED:

Set 1: shut, stem, pram, flat, swim, blob, drum, drug, grip, trim, bled, step, skip, chin, plan, shot, shop, plug, slam, drip, chip, sled, clap, stop, shed

Set 2: clip, spot, grin, slop, drag, plum, slid, drop, crab, slap, chop, ship, frog, flag, slug, plop, snip, spin, prod, glad, slum, tram, twig, skin, prop

Set 3: brag, chap, clam, cram, flap, grab, gran, scam, scan, snag, snap, span, trap, flex, clop, then, them, flip, trod, that, trip, club, plus, grub, snug

Combine sets to cater for larger numbers. Flash Cards are also included. You can use them for display or explicit teaching. Alternatively, substitute them for the illustrated cards if your learners are at this level.

The object of the game is to cover three words in adjoining boxes. Each of the ten boards has 25 boxes with the same words, but in different places. This will not take long and is a quick way to review the skill. If you have more time you can continue the game until a player, or players have four adjoining boxes covered, and there is the opportunity to continue until five boxes, or a whole row is covered if time permits. I use laminated boards and wipe off markers that the students clean themselves.

Games are a great alternative to worksheets and they will last for years once laminated. Decoding, blending and vocabulary improve with practice. All ability levels will develop gains in fluency.