CVC words (Consonant, Vowel, Consonant) are some of the earliest your students will explore as they learn to read and write. These are the words that help to establish phonological awareness and set up students to take on more challenging literacy lessons as they build upon established foundational language skills. 

In this CVC word picture match game, students will read the following words from the cards:

• Pen
• Hen
• Van
• Pan
• Cat
• Hat
• Red
• Log
• Jam
• Sun
• Pig

They’ll then cover the picture on the board that matches their card to try to get 4 in a row with their game pieces.  

Practice Reading with Our CVC Word Picture Match

This resource can be used as a reading center activity or with your guided reading group to practice decoding and spelling CVC words.

Provide players with a set of manipulatives (counters, mini erasers, cubes, counting bears) to cover the CVC words they find. To play, choose a card and read the CVC word. Find the matching picture on the game board and cover it. Connect four squares in a row to win! When the cards run out, mix them up and start again.

More CVC Word Activities + Scaffolding and Extension Tips

This resource can be used for individualized practice, especially if you’ve got fast finishers! You can also use this game to create additional learning opportunities like group activities, lesson reviews, comprehension assessments, and more. 

Invite students to use a visual reminder, like an anchor chart or an alphabet display, to sound out words they may struggle with. 

Alphabetical Ordering

After students are done playing the game, challenge them to put the word cards in alphabetical order.

Rimes & Rhymes

Because there are 11 words, this game can be used with a small group or for reading intervention. Using the word cards or the game board, ask students to write the CVC word on a piece of paper and identify the onset and the rime (the letters that follow). Then, have them write 1-2 more words (not already on the board) that rhyme with the word. This allows students to take the time to segment the words and blend the sounds together, while also committing a few rhyming families to memory. 

Go Fish

It’s easy to turn these cards into a game of Go Fish! Shuffle the cards and pass out 5 to each player. The remaining cards go in the center of the play area. Taking turns, players read a card in their hand and ask the other player for its match. If the other player has it, they take the card and set the pair down in a pile to keep score and go again. If not, they take a card from the remaining card pile and it’s the next player’s turn.  

Check out 10 helpful scaffolding strategies here! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Before You Download

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Save yourself valuable lesson planning time by adding these fun CVC word activities to your literacy unit! 

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Segmenting and Blending CVC Words Interactive PowerPoint

Practice reading CVC words with your students with our interactive PowerPoint.

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SPLAT! CVC Word Game

A set of 36 task cards to practice decoding and reading 3-letter words.

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CVC Beginning and Ending Letters Worksheet Pack

Practice identifying missing beginning and ending sounds and letters in this set of 10 CVC worksheets.