Tricky Word Match Activity

Make learning to read tricky words fun, hands-on, and engaging with this Tricky Word Match Activity! Designed for early readers, this low-prep resource provides meaningful practice reading and recognising tricky words through a simple, interactive matching activity.

The tricky words are organised into six sets that follow the order of introduction used in InitiaLit, making it easy to use the activity alongside your classroom phonics program and introduce words progressively.

Each card features a tricky word at the top and three tricky word choices underneath. Students read the word at the top, carefully compare the three choices, and find the matching word. They then place a peg on the correct answer.

With only one correct answer on each card, students are encouraged to look carefully at the letters and develop accurate word recognition rather than relying on guessing.

What’s Included

This resource includes six sets of tricky words, with multiple versions to suit different learners and levels of challenge.

Tricky Word Sets

Set 1: is, I, a, the, my, that, to, you, was, they

Set 2: he, are, said, we, she, be, me, were, one, has, look

Set 3: his, her, them, there, have, here, of, with

Set 4: all, tall, ball, call, go, so, this, no, then

Set 5: do, put, like, as, very, some, where, want, what, come

Set 6: down, out, for, or, should, would, could

Multiple Versions Included

The resource has been designed with flexibility in mind, allowing teachers to choose the version that best suits their students.

Colour-Coded – Black Font

Cards feature black text with a coloured background corresponding to each set, making the sets easy to identify and organise.

Colour-Coded – White Font

A white-font version with the same set-coloured backgrounds is also included. This gives teachers the flexibility to choose the font and colour combination that their students find easiest to read.

Black & White Version

A black-and-white version is included for easy printing and a more economical option.

Mixed-Up Challenge Version

For students who are ready for an extra challenge, a mixed-up version containing words from Sets 1–6 is included. The three answer choices are mixed across the sets rather than being limited to the student's current set.

This version encourages students to recognise the tricky word independently and cannot rely on the order in which the words were introduced.

How to Use

1.    Print your preferred version.

2.    Cut out the cards.

3.    Laminate for durability and repeated use.

4.    Students read the tricky word at the top of the card.

5.    Students look carefully at the three word choices.

6.    Students find the matching word.

7.    Students place a peg on the correct answer.

The cards can be used independently, with a partner, in small groups, or as part of a literacy or tricky-word rotation.

Perfect For

·      Foundation

·      Year 1

·      Literacy centres

·      Tricky word practice

·      Phonics rotations

·      Small group instruction

·      Guided reading groups

·      Independent practice

·      Partner activities

·      Intervention

·      Early finishers

·      Fast finisher tubs

·      Revision and consolidation

Skills Developed

Students will practise and strengthen:

·      Tricky word recognition

·      Automatic word recognition

·      Careful visual discrimination

·      Reading accuracy

·      Word matching

·      Visual memory

·      Reading fluency

·      Concentration and attention

·      Independent learning

·      Fine motor skills

Hands-On Fine Motor Practice

The peg component adds an engaging hands-on element to the literacy activity. As students pick up, squeeze, and position the peg to select their answer, they are also developing fine motor skills, hand strength, coordination, and control.

This makes the activity a fun way to combine tricky word practice with hands-on learning and fine motor development.

Progressive Practice

-The six sets allow you to introduce and practise tricky words progressively, matching the words students are learning in their classroom program.

-Start with the set your students are currently learning, revisit previous sets for consolidation, or use the mixed-set version when students are ready for a greater challenge.

-The different versions also allow you to easily adjust the resource to suit individual students and their reading needs.

Print, laminate, grab some pegs, and make tricky word practice hands-on and engaging!

Please Note

This resource is designed to complement the InitiaLit order of tricky word introduction. It is an independent teacher-created resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by InitiaLit.