Have you been looking for a resource to assess your beginning reader’s decoding ability/comprehension? Are you searching for ways to encourage your students to read independently with success? Then look no further!

This match-up activity is comprised of 4 sets of 6 picture cards and 4 sets of 6 text cards. Each text card has a simple sentence of 3-5 words. CVC words and some simple ‘tricky’ words are included.

Which Tricky Words Are Included?

A ‘tricky’ word can be defined as a word that a student cannot decode using their current phonetic knowledge. The tricky words used in this resource are those that are frequently found in basic sight word lists:

• we
• are
• the
• has
• no
• is
• there
• he
• his
• like
• she
• have
• look
• my
• see
• to

How Do I Use the Cards?

Each of the cards has a symbol in the top left corner. Display all the cards from one set in front of the student, e.g. all the picture cards with the circle symbol and all the text cards with the circle symbol. The student chooses a card to read and finds the picture that matches the text.

As an alternative to using the cards for assessment purposes, why not assign them as a reading activity? Students could use them either individually or with a partner.

Support your students in developing their phonemic knowledge with these handy sets of cards.

For extra durability, cut the cards and adhere them to thick cardboard.

If you’re looking for other ‘beginner’ reading resources, try one of these:

teaching resource

Segmenting and Blending Mats

A set of beautifully designed templates for students to practise blending and segmenting words.

teaching resource

Decodable Text Worksheets - Single Graphemes (Set 1)

A set of 10 decodable text worksheets for early readers.