Onset and Rime – The Simplest Building Blocks of Words

Onsets (the beginning consonant sound) and rimes (the string of vowels and consonants after the onset) are the building blocks of words. They give early readers and writers a place to start and a path to follow when they take on unfamiliar words. 

Teaching onset and rime becomes child’s play with our dominoes game, in which students connect the picture/onset domino with its matching rime. 

Explore Onsets and Rimes Through Play

This resource can be used as an English group activity or as part of a whole-class activity to practise building words using onset and rime.

To play, the domino cards are shuffled and divided equally among players. One player lays a domino down the middle of the playing area. Students take turns matching the opposite end of the domino with the letters and pictures that fit the sequence. Play continues in this way until someone lays down their last domino, making them the winner.

CVCC Word Game Scaffolding & Extension Tips

• Challenge fast finishers to create additional onset and rime dominoes using other familiar words.
• Support students by providing a visual resource, such as an alphabet display, to help them with letter-sound correspondences.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print the dominoes on thick card for added durability and longevity. Place in a resealable bag or large envelope for safekeeping.

Before You Download

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. An answer key is also included with this download.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a Teach Starter collaborator.