Blending Phonemes to Decode Words

Understanding that letters represent sounds and that sounds can be blended together to make words is a key concept in early literacy. The more practice our students have blending sounds together to form words, the better their reading skills will be!

This set of word puzzles has been designed to help students gain fluency and mastery in blending the discrete phonemes in words. The resource includes 36 puzzle cards. Each puzzle card displays a picture and a word that has been segmented according to its phonemes.

How to Use This Hands-On Phonics Resource

1. Print and cut out the word puzzles. Cardstock is recommended.
2. Provide students with the puzzle pieces.
3. Students find all the puzzle pieces with the same picture, and then place the pieces in the correct order to build the word. 
4. Students check that the word is spelled correctly by checking that the picture on the puzzle is correctly formed.

Deliver This Resource in a Variety of Ways

This versatile phonics resource can be used in various ways to meet your learners’ diverse needs. It can be used as:

• an independent challenge for fast finishers
• a focused, small group activity with a selection of targeted learners
• a whole-class lesson or revision.

Why not use this resource to place your students into groups for collaborative learning? Provide each student with a puzzle piece, then have them find the other students with the same word. Instant random groupings! 

Download the File Format That Best Suits Your Classroom!

Use the dropdown menu next to the Download button to select from the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource.

It is recommended that this resource be stored in a large envelope or zip-lock bag for safekeeping.

This resource was created by Kendall Britnell, a teacher in Colorado and a Teach Starter collaborator.