There’s a special magic that happens when you mix letter sounds in just the right order…

🪄 You get a word!

And CVC words (Consonant, Vowel, Consonant) showcase this magic especially well because they have clearly defined beginning, middle, and end sounds. 

For example, words like bat, rug, and dig—all 3 letter words with a vowel in the center, flanked by consonants. With words like these, students can pick out each letter in order, identify the sound it makes, and combine the letters to say the word. 

And poof—✨reading magic✨ is made!

To play our Final Sounds Match-Up game, students will build CVC words by matching the word card with the missing letter. 

How to Play Our CVC Word Game

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

To get started, players will take turns choosing a picture card. They will say the word and break it into its phonemes. When the player determines the final sound for the word in the picture, they’ll select the matching letter and place it inside the box to complete the word (i.e. ba + t = bat). Then, they will blend the phonemes together to read the word. Game play continues in this manner until there are no more cards left.

There is also an interactive activity where students drag and drop the final sound inside the box to complete the word.

Get More out of This CVC Word Game 

Turn this fun reading game into CVC word practice that gets your whole class or small group engaged and playing along! 

Scoot Activity

Place each of the picture cards around the room. Ask students to stand up and rotate through each of the cards (either individually or in pairs), writing the final letter for each word on a separate sheet of paper. (NOTE: We suggest printing a second set of cards for this activity that you can number.)

Swat! 

During small group instruction, create a row of 5 cards (each with different end sounds) at the top of a table and give each student a fly swatter. Say the sound of the missing letter in one of the visible picture cards. Students then swat the picture for the missing letter that matches the sound. The first student to swat correctly wins!

Match Me If You Can

In your guided reading group, give each student 3 cards that only they can see. Then, show students one picture card and have them say the word as a group. The student (or students) who has the card for the missing letter lays it down face up. The first person to have all their cards face up wins.

Change the Difficulty Level if Needed

After building the CVC words correctly, have students put the words in alphabetical order. They can also build new words by changing the last consonant.

If students need a visual cue to help identify the missing letters they can look at reminder tools like an alphabet display or their desk plate. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print the task cards on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all game parts 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 the interactive (drag and drop) Google Slides version of this resource. An answer key is also included with this download.

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

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Don’t stop there! We’ve got more fun and engaging activities that turn phonological awareness into a love of reading: